The scheme includes approximately 50,000 sq ft of flexible attraction space across three double-height floors, alongside places to eat and drink at street level, and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the square. The building is designed to give future operators the flexibility to create new visitor experiences as technology and audiences evolve.
Leicester Square welcomes millions of visitors every year and is known around the world as the UK home of film premieres and entertainment. While much of its visitor offer is centred around cinemas, demand for experiences continues to grow. According to the Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA), the West End’s experience economy already contributes more than £10 billion a year to the UK economy, and the proposals would add a new dimension by creating a destination for large-scale immersive experiences.
Analysis of the economic impact of the proposals estimates the visitor attraction would generate £48 million in net additional visitor spending each year. This is the extra money visitors would spend in local shops, restaurants, and other businesses before and after their trip to the attraction. The scheme is also expected to support around 950 full-time equivalent jobs in the venue and the local area.
The application follows almost three years of engagement with local communities, businesses, stakeholders, and public bodies. This included a public consultation earlier this year, which reached more than 154,000 people and generated 722 survey responses. Almost 80% of respondents said they were excited by the proposals or interested to learn more.
Fawn James, Chief Executive of Soho Estates, said: “It’s Leicester Square. It’s one of the world’s best-known entertainment destinations, and it’s the right place to put forward an ambitious vision for the future.
“The West End doesn’t have a venue like this today. We’ve spent almost three years listening, refining and improving our plans. People expect something extraordinary for Leicester Square, and so do we.”
Further information about the proposals is available at www.lsxproject.co.uk or view the application on Westminster City Council’s planning portal using Reference 26/04567/FULL, Address 17 Leicester Square London WC2H 7LE.
https://www.sohoestates.co.uk/news-1/plans-submitted-leicester-square-visitor-attraction
