00:00The iconic Prince Charles Theatre is at risk of closure amid fears its landlord is planning
00:04to redevelop the site.
00:06The independent West End Cinema has accused its landlord of intimidation over a proposed
00:11clause in its lease, which would require it to leave within six months if the site were
00:15to be redeveloped.
00:17The cinema accused Criterion Capital of trying to bully it out of the building off Leicester
00:21Square when its lease runs out in September, and demanding an unreasonable rent cost.
00:25Criterion Capital and its subsidiaries own and manage properties in central London, including
00:30large chunks of the West End, and is ultimately controlled by millionaire developer Asif Aziz.
00:36The cinema has launched a petition online calling for the removal of the redevelopment
00:39break clause, and that has been signed by 6,000 people.
00:42We're losing the soul, the heart and soul of what makes London tick, and what makes
00:47Soho tick, so it's going to be a huge loss if this goes.
00:53It doesn't seem like London's got its mojo back to me, ever since Covid really.
00:57And so things like this closing, loads of clubs and bars closing, it's just London
01:03doesn't feel as brilliant a city as it used to feel.
01:07A spokesperson for Criterion Capital said it has initiated lease renewal proceedings
01:11on the Prince Charles Cinema, and said its landlord has acted in accordance with the
01:15Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954.
01:17The Standard has contacted Criterion for further comment.
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