Leicester Square disruption - This year's red carpet premieres could be scrapped

Published: 07 January 2011
by JOSH LOEB

PR COMPANIES and film experts have criticised construction work in Leicester Square after it emerged the disruption could force promoters to scrap red carpet premieres until 2012.

Westminster City Council is working to spruce up the piazza in time for the London Olympics, when scores of extra tourists are expected to visit the West End. The renovation, which began in December, is expected to last 17 months.

Last month, the West End Extra revealed that PR companies were concerned they may be forced to scale down events – but now promoters have warned that blockbuster premieres “may not happen at all”, and managers at the Odeon Leicester Square have said they were not given advance warning about the extent of the disruption.

One film promoter, who did not wish to be named, said: “The premiere of the new Pirates of the Caribbean film will not be able to happen because of the huge crowds that would be expected.”

A spokeswoman for the Odeon Leicester Square said the redevelopment would “significantly affect” the ability to host premieres until 2012 and warned the disrup­tion would “damage London’s position as the leading film centre in the world outside America”.

Ian Christie, a professor of film at Birkbeck College, called the renovation work “unfortunate” and said it could harm promoters’ efforts to connect with the public.

Prof Christie said: “Cinema needs showmanship. Even though a lot of film promotion happens online now, if you don’t have a focus, an event where people can go and get a sense of occasion, then cinema becomes more remote from people.”

Currently only a narrow route around the square is available to pedestrians, who share this space with delivery vehicles. 

Colin Bennett, chair­man of the Leicester Square Association, agreed that the appearance of the square needed to be “lifted up”, but he added: “At present it looks like overkill in terms of the size of the hoarding – though we do understand that in March the hoarding is going to be moved back so that it will not take up as much space.”

City Hall’s urban planning chief Rosemarie MacQueen said the work would make Leicester 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.”