A ray of light in the Prince Charles Cinema's struggle for survival.
The much-loved Leicester Square cinema — those among its fans including Paul Mescal and Edgar Wright — has had a boost in the ongoing tussle with its landlords, after being declared an 'Asset of Community Value' by Westminster Council, under section 87 of the Localism Act 2011
Says the council: "The Prince Charles is distinguished from other local cinemas by means of its independent ethos, unparalleled programming and a close relationship with the local community".
While the rare listing (the PCC is one of only six such assets within this designation) will not outright save the cinema, an Asset of Community Value listing means that for the five years which the listing lasts, the local community will be informed if the cinema is listed for sale, and then has six months to see if it can raise the funds needed to purchase the building.
Said the PCC: "We believe that any truly great venue is built on the shoulders of those who work within and those who support it — and we couldn't have asked for a more passionate and vocal level of support from the many thousands of you who signed the petition, bought tickets, became members or simply just kept coming through our doors... The fight continues to secure a long term lease that will enable us to invest in our future development and continue to bring the best of what we do to Leicester Place."
If you haven't yet signed the Save The Prince Charles Cinema petition, here it is.
