Leicester Square - Rebuilding work hoardings may see film promoters scaling down Odeon film premieres

Published: 17 December 2010
by JOSH LOEB

FILM promoters may be forced to scale down events in Leicester Square following the erection of hoardings yesterday (Thursday).

Westminster City Council is carrying out rebuilding work and currently only a narrow route around the square is available to pedestrians, who share this space with delivery vehicles. 

A spokeswoman for Odeon Leicester Square could not say whether the venue would continue to host premieres during the 17 months the work is expected to last for, but an insider told the West End Extra it would make such events problematic.

Traders fear noise, disruption and loss of takings. Sohail Aziz, owner of the Rendezvous cafe, said: “It’s ridiculous. They say they are improving the square but even if they were to lay mosaics over the square it should not take 17 months.” 

City Hall’s urban planning chief Rosemarie MacQueen said the work would make the square “an even more impressive and desirable destination for Londoners and tourists”.

A City Hall spokeswoman said: “The council will continue to work closely with the film distributors, event organisers and the cinemas to try to ensure premieres can still use the square during the works during their events.”