Why the Prince Charles Cinema is much more than a movie theatre

After news that the Prince Charles Cinema in Soho is under threat of closure, Emma Clarke looks at the importance of the location to the local community – and the mental health benefits of so-called 'third spaces'.

On cold, rainy days, I like to take myself to London’s Chinatown for some warm, freshly baked taiyaki and a rerun of one of my favourite films at the Prince Charles Cinema (PCC). I snuggle into the plush velvet seats and breathe in the scent of sweet and salted popcorn, as the lights dim, the speakers come alive with a crackle, and the projector starts playing trailers on the screen ahead.

Solo cinema trips are both an indulgence and a necessity for me – a means to escape the everyday stress and busyness of the city, and an opportunity to put my phone away for a couple of hours and fully immerse myself in someone else’s world and mind. I don’t have to think about anything but what’s in front of me.

An iconic London landmark

The PCC, especially, elevates my mood and my senses. First opened in 1962 as a live theatre, it was converted into a cinema in 1969, before becoming a repertory picture house – showing classic and cult movies, as well as some new releases – in 1991.

And it still holds much of its original charm. With just two screens, draped red theatre curtains and ornate golden uplights, a visit to the PCC feels like you are stepping back in time – conjuring an unparalleled feeling of nostalgia and calm (ironic, really, when it’s so close to the bustle of Leicester Square).

I am not alone in my adoration for one of Britain’s most famous cinemas, either.

What the PCC means to the community

For 26-year-old Henry Burt, a scriptwriting masters graduate based in London, the PCC is a place where people are "unapologetically nerdy about films" – and where he can fully embrace his passions, without fear of judgement.

"I think for me it was just amazing to find a place where everybody is as enthusiastic about films as I am – even the staff work there and not somewhere else because they're deeply passionate about cinema.

"I've discovered new films there and I've had totally new experiences watching films there that I'd already seen 10 times before. I wish every cinema could be like the Prince Charles, but also we're so lucky to have just one place like that in London," he tells me.

Similarly, 33-year-old actor Ricky Oakley finds a unique sense of community at the PCC – particularly when the theatre is doing movie marathons and reruns of cult classics, such as 2003 romantic drama The Room – known for being so bad and awkward that it is oddly comedic.

"I even bought a pair of underwear in the bar from Tommy Wieseu [the film’s writer, lead actor, producer and director]," he says. "And where else in London can you stay up all night watching Lord of the Rings?"

Ricky also notes that the films themselves have an uplifting value, as well as the surroundings. "You can do singalongs to Hairspray, Mamma Mia! – and now Wicked. At other cinemas, they are seen as controversial and are firmly against the rules, but the Prince Charles welcomes you to sing and take part."

The value of the 'third space'

There is another, science-backed reason why people love the Prince Charles and similar institutions, though.

Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenberg, the concept of the "third space" is about the benefits places that are not related to our personal or professional lives have on our mental health and overall wellbeing – this can be a cafe, hair salon, or (you guessed it) a cinema.

BACP-registered counsellor, Georgina Sturmer, explains: "It’s important for us to have spaces outside of work and outside of home where we can nurture our friendships and our identity, away from the pressures of our colleagues or our family – a space where we can relax and feel less bored or lonely.

"This helps to relieve stress and to hold a stronger sense of separation between our work life and home life. It also helps us to meet people organically, to make new friends based on shared interests and feel a shared sense of community."

Meanwhile, BACP-registered therapist and coach Susie Masterson, says: "In transactional analysis – psychological theory – there is a concept of ‘strokes’. They can be a nod of a head on a dog walk, a smile to a child at the school gates, a brief conversation at the supermarket checkout – units of affirmation and validation which influence our wellbeing.

"With third spaces, we are at the very least afforded a certain amount of strokes, but we also have the opportunity to build on this. Over time, we might meet someone who strikes up a conversation with us – someone who we feel attuned with. Equally, we might feel more connected to our community by supporting a local enterprise.

"Just as the world of work is reorienting around the benefits of office-based working, third spaces provide a safe space for collaboration and connection."

Psychotherapeutic counsellor Baljit Kamal also says that third spaces are crucial in order to foster a sense of wellbeing, belongingness and fulfilment in life.

"As well as providing opportunities for communities to engage in a more active lifestyle and enhance our social interaction with others, preventing isolation and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, they also assist in providing opportunities for individuals to express themselves and their emotions freely and without any judgements.

"For example, certain LGBTQIA+ spaces allow members of that community to share emotions and provide support. This kind of space can be very therapeutic and also reduce any kind of stigma around mental health struggles."

Under threat

Sadly, the PCC is under threat, with the cinema stating yesterday that their landlords, Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their parent company, Criterion Capital, are attempting to "intimidate us" out of the building by adding a new break clause to their rental contract, allowing the landlords to give just six months’ notice if they decide to redevelop the property. Yahoo UK has contacted Criterion Capital for comment.

The PCC has now launched a petition, which has already garnered over 100,000 signatures. You can sign it here.

Read more about mental health and wellbeing:

• Is it really better to forget? Three trauma experts on the Severance effect (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)

• Antidepressants saved my life. When I was forced to go cold turkey, they nearly ended it too (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)

• I work from home full-time – my mental health has never been better (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)