Editing Leicester Square (section)

==Features==
[[File:Panorama showing the Lego Store and M&M's world in Leicester Square, London.jpg|center|thumb|400px|Panorama showing the Lego Store and [[M&M's World]]]]

===Gardens square===
[[File:Shakespeare Statue in Leicester Square.JPG|thumb|upright|The [[Statue of William Shakespeare, Leicester Square|Shakespeare fountain and statue]]]]
In the middle of the square is a small park that was originally available for common use on [[Lammas Day]] (12 August), such as washing clothes and herding cattle. The Earl of Leicester was obliged to preserve these grounds, which were separated from the rest of the square with railings. In 1808, the garden was sold by the Leicester Estate to Charles Elmes for £210 ({{inflation|GBP|210|1808|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}), who neglected to maintain it.{{efn|On Elmes' death, his executors were sued for neglect.}} Ownership changed hands a number of times during the first half of the 19th century, including Robert Barren following Elmes' death in 1822, John Inderwick in 1834, and Hyam Hyams and [[Edward Moxhay]] in 1839. Little maintenance was done and the garden deteriorated to the point of severe dilapidation.<ref name=lsqle>{{cite journal|title=Leicester Square Area: Leicester Estate|journal=Survey of London|volume=33–34, St Anne Soho|editor=F H W Sheppard|location=London|year=1966|pages=416–440|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp416-440|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111081639/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp416-440|archive-date=11 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}}

In 1848, the land was subject to the significant legal case of ''[[Tulk v Moxhay]]''. The plot's previous owner, Moxhay, had agreed upon a covenant not to erect buildings but the law would not allow buyers who were not "privy" to the initial contract to be bound by subsequent promises. The judge, [[Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham|Lord Cottenham]], decided that future owners of land could be bound by promises to abstain from activity, subject to the doctrine of notice (actual or constructive). Otherwise, a buyer could (re-)sell land to himself to undermine an initial promise.<ref name=lsqle/><ref>''Tulk v. Moxhay'' (1848) 41 ER 1143 (Court Rolls)</ref> [[James Wyld]] bought the assets of the garden from the Tulk and Moxhay's death estates in 1849 to erect the Great Globe,<ref name=lsqle/> though buried the statue of George I under 12&nbsp;feet of earth with the globe stuck on top. The statue was uncovered following the globe's demise, but by 1866 it had deteriorated due to vandalism and was sold for £16.{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=89}} Arguments continued about the fate of the garden, with [[Charles Augustus Tulk]]'s heirs erecting a wooden hoarding around the property in 1873. These were quickly removed after the [[Master of the Rolls]] ordered that the land must be preserved for its original purpose.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}}

[[File:Charlie Chaplin-Leicester Square-London.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Charlie Chaplin]] statue]]
The garden was saved by the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Albert Grant (company promoter)|Albert Grant]], who purchased the park in 1874 for £11,060 and donated it to the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=481}} The title deed for the square passed to the succeeding public bodies and is now in the ownership of the City of Westminster.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41119|title=Leicester Square Area: Leicester Estate|journal=Survey of London|volume=33–34 : St Anne Soho|year=1966|pages=416–440|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102045244/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41119|archive-date=2 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> After the purchase, the architect [[James Thomas Knowles (1831–1908)|James Knowles]] redesigned the park. A [[Statue of William Shakespeare, Leicester Square|statue]] of [[William Shakespeare]] surrounded by [[dolphin]]s was constructed in the centre. The four corner gates of the park had one bust each of famous former residents in the square: the scientist Sir [[Isaac Newton]] designed by [[William Calder Marshall]]; Sir [[Joshua Reynolds]], the first President of the [[Royal Academy of Arts|Royal Academy]] by [[Henry Weekes]]; [[John Hunter (surgeon)|John Hunter]], a pioneer of surgery, by [[Thomas Woolner]]; and [[William Hogarth]], the painter, by [[Joseph Durham]].{{efn|The statues were designed to represent former residents in Leicester Square, but Newton actually lived in St. Martin's Street.}}{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=481}} Ownership transferred to [[Westminster City Council]] in 1933.<ref name=lsqle/> The most recent addition was a bronze statue of film star and director Sir [[Charlie Chaplin]], designed by sculptor [[John Doubleday (sculptor)|John Doubleday]] in 1981.{{sfn|Piper|Jervis|2000|p=53}} On the pavement were inscribed the distances in miles to several [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries, including Canada, Kenya and Jamaica.{{sfn|Fullman|2008|p=72}} After the Great Outdoors refurbishment of the square, only the statue of Shakespeare still remains.

===Entertainment===
Since the 19th century, Leicester Square has been known for its entertainment venues, including the Alhambra and Empire theatres and the nearby [[Daly's Theatre]], which opened in 1893, and the [[Hippodrome, London|Hippodrome]], which opened in 1900. One of the signs marking the square bears the legend "[[West End theatre|Theatreland]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5108419,-0.1296013,3a,37.5y,80.89h,95.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIftlib_RZnPqaT5KOaehoQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|title=Leicester Square|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=6 October 2015}}</ref> In the 20th century, most of these large theatres became [[movie theater|cinemas]] and the area is the centre of London's cinema scene and the prime location in the United Kingdom for film premieres. Since the 1980s, it has hosted the [[London Film Festival]] each year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cinematreasures.org/theater/841/ |title=Cinema Treasures – Odeon Leicester Square |access-date=16 November 2009 |author=Steffan Laugharne, Ken Roe |work=Cinema Treasures |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201073447/http://cinematreasures.org/theater/841 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Odeon Leicester Square]], on the site of the old Alhambra theatre, is the cinema with the most seats in a single screen in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Odeon Luxe London Leicester Square |url=https://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/london-leicester-square/ |website=odeon.co.uk |access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> Similar to [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]] in [[Hollywood, CA|Hollywood]], the square was surrounded by floor mounted plaques with film stars' names and cast handprints. During the 2010–2012 refurbishment, many of the plaques were removed, confusing tourists who still expected to find them there.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/celebritynews/hollywood-film-stars-hand-print-collection-set-for-west-end-return-after-disappearance-9748007.html|title=Hollywood film stars' hand print collection set for West End return after disappearance|newspaper=London Evening Standard|date=22 September 2014|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015164743/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/celebritynews/hollywood-film-stars-hand-print-collection-set-for-west-end-return-after-disappearance-9748007.html|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In the 1950s, the Hippodrome became a nightclub and is now a casino.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/welcome-to-the-pleasure-dome-leicester-square-hippodrome-opens-as-casino-after-40m-refit-7938367.html|title=Welcome to the Pleasure Dome – Leicester Square Hippodrome Opens as Casino after £40m refit#|work=London Evening Standard|date=12 July 2012|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072300/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/welcome-to-the-pleasure-dome-leicester-square-hippodrome-opens-as-casino-after-40m-refit-7938367.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Ticket Booth, Leicester Square W1 - geograph.org.uk - 1284462.jpg|thumb|The TKTS booth in Leicester Square is the official place to purchase cheap theatre tickets in the [[West End of London|West End]] besides being synonymous with London film premieres.]]
The [[Leicester Square Theatre]] is based in nearby Leicester Place. It was constructed in 1955 as a church, before becoming the Notre Dame Hall, then the Cavern in the Town, a popular live music venue in the 1960s.<ref name=lst/> In the 1970s, it was renamed back to the Notre Dame Hall, where the [[Sex Pistols]] played one of their first gigs at the club on 15 November 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sexpistolsofficial.com/gig-archive-1975-2008/|title=Gig Archive 1975 – 2008|publisher=Sex Pistols (official website)|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202095544/http://www.sexpistolsofficial.com/gig-archive-1975-2008/|archive-date=2 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|The gig occurred a little over two weeks before the Sex Pistols achieved national notoriety by appearing on [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]'s ''Today'' with [[Bill Grundy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/never-mind-four-letter-words-heres-the-sex-pistols-when-television-met-punk-rock-426571.html|title=Never mind four-letter words... here's the Sex Pistols: when television met punk rock|first=Jonathan|last=Brown|newspaper=The Independent|date=1 December 2012|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217001630/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/never-mind-four-letter-words-heres-the-sex-pistols-when-television-met-punk-rock-426571.html|archive-date=17 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>}} It was converted into a theatre in 2002 as The Venue, and refurbished as the Leicester Square Theatre in 2008 (using the name of an earlier cinema).<ref name=lst>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/20-leicester-square-theatre|title=Leicester Square Theatre|publisher=Theatre Trust|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114324/http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/20-leicester-square-theatre|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

The square has been the home for ''[[TKTS]]'' (originally known as the Official London Half-Price Theatre Ticket Booth), since 1980. Tickets for [[theatre]] performances taking place around the West End that day and during the week are sold from the booth at a significant discount.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/buy-tickets/tkts/|title=TKTS|publisher=Official London Theatre Guide|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015130405/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/buy-tickets/tkts/|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The popularity of the booth has given rise to other booths and stores around the square that advertise half-price tickets for West End shows. The Official London Theatre Guide recommends avoiding these booths as they are not official and do not contain the Society of Ticket Agents & Retailers (STAR) logo.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/other_files/pdfs/access/Tagged_Nelsons_Column_Tickets_booth.pdf|title=A step-free route from Nelson's Column to the TKTS Booth|publisher=Official London Theatre Guide|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200708/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/other_files/pdfs/access/Tagged_Nelsons_Column_Tickets_booth.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Global Group|Global Radio]] has its headquarters on the east side of Leicester Square at No.&nbsp;30, close to the Odeon. The building houses the radio stations [[Capital (radio network)|Capital]], [[Capital Xtra]], [[Classic FM (UK)|Classic FM]], [[Gold (British radio network)|Gold]], [[Heart (radio network)|Heart]], [[LBC]], [[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]] and [[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisglobal.com/about-us/|title=About Us|publisher=Global Radio|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907191743/http://www.thisisglobal.com/about-us/|archive-date=7 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Cinemas====
[[File:Londen 2006 (361) (2848925508).jpg|thumb|left|upright|200px|The [[Odeon Luxe Leicester Square|Odeon Leicester Square]] in June 2006]]
The [[Empire, Leicester Square|Empire theatre]] on the north side of the square was converted into a cinema in 1928. It was the largest on the square until 1959, when a new projection box was built in the centre of the stalls for ''[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben-Hur]]'', reducing the seating capacity from 2,778 to 1,723. In 1961, the building was gutted and a new cinema and dance hall were built in the shell.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eyles |first1=Allen |last2=Skone |first2=Keith |title=London's West End Cinemas |date=1991 |publisher=Keytone Publications |isbn=0951431315 |pages=57,98,99}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/912 |title=Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square |website=Cinema Treasures |author=Ross Melnick, Ken Roe| access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> In 2013 the main auditorium was divided into two screens, including an [[IMAX]] screen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30144260|title=Leicester Square: Do London's cinemas face a fight for survival?|first=Duncan|last=Smith|work=BBC News|date=14 December 2014|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926002634/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30144260|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Adjoining the Empire was the Ritz Cinema, opened by [[MGM]] in 1937. It played ''[[Gone With the Wind (film)|Gone With the Wind]]'' for four years from 1940 to 1944.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=Metro Shutters Ritz In London For a Facelift|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_variety_1970-04-29_258_11/page/172/mode/2up?view=theater|date=29 April 1970|page=172|access-date=15 June 2024|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> It became a second screen for the Empire in 1972 and was converted to a [[4DX]] screen in 2018. In 2023 it was closed due to a dispute with the building's landlord.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/912 |title=Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square 4DX|website=Cinema Treasures |author=Ken Roe| access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref>

On the south side, the [[Odeon Luxe West End|Leicester Square Theatre]] opened in 1930. It was renamed the Odeon West End in 1988 and was earmarked for demolition in 2014, to be replaced by a ten-storey hotel including a two-screen cinema.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25820426|title=Leicester Square's Odeon cinema to be demolished|work=BBC News|date=21 January 2014|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926002224/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25820426|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The new cinema opened in 2021 as the [[Odeon Luxe West End]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinematreasures.org/theaters/910 |title=Odeon West End|website=Cinema Treasures |author=Ross Melnick, Ken Roe| access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref>

The Odeon Leicester Square, which dominates the east side of the square, hosts many film premieres. Opened in 1937 on the site of the Alhambra Theatre, it originally had a capacity for 2,116 people, arranged in circle and stalls. Following changes at the Empire, in the 1960s it became the largest cinema on the square.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=6 February 1963|page=23|title=Freeze Hurts West End Deluxers, 'Lawrence' Might $33,000, 7th, 'West' Sturdy 21½G, 'Girls' Stout $16,000 |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_variety_1963-02-06_229_11/page/23/mode/1up?view=theater|access-date=16 June 2024|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> It later became the largest cinema in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite book |last=Robertson |first=Patrick |title=Film Facts & Feats |publisher=Aurum Press |year=2001 |isbn=1-85410-654-6 |page=221}}</ref> The seating capacity was reduced to 800 following refurbishment in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/841 |title=Odeon Luxe Leicester Square|website=Cinema Treasures |author=Steffan Laugharne, Ken Roe| access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>

On the other side of the Empire was the Queen's Hotel, which started showing [[newsreels]] in the 1930s and was then converted into a [[Joseph Cohen (solicitor)|Jacey]] Cinema in 1960. It closed in 1978 and is now a casino.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/13062|title=Jacey Leicester Square|website=Cinema Treasures |author=Ken Roe| access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref>

The [[Vue West End|Warner Theatre]], near the north east corner, opened in 1938 on the site of the former Daly's Theatre. The Warner was demolished and rebuilt in 1993. In 2004, it was taken over by [[Vue International|Vue]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinematreasures.org/theaters/3778|title=Vue West End|website=Cinema Treasures |author=Ken Roe| access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> In 2006, it was one of the first two cinemas in Europe to screen a film in [[Digital 3D]] with ''[[Chicken Little (2005 film)|Chicken Little]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myvue.com/about-us|title=About Us|publisher=Vue|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005151807/http://www.myvue.com/about-us|archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref>

A short distance from the west of the square, on the south side of Panton Street, is the Odeon Panton Street.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/cinemas/odeon-panton-street|title=Odeon Panton Street|magazine=Time Out|access-date=11 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905155702/http://www.timeout.com/london/cinemas/odeon-panton-street|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Prince Charles Cinema]], to the north of the square opened in 1962 with a "satellite dish" design where the audience looks upwards to the stage. The cinema became known for showing [[pornographic film|pornographic]] and [[erotic film|erotic]] films during the 1970s, including ''[[Emmanuelle (1974 film)|Emmanuelle]]'' (1974). It later became a favourite venue for showing [[cult film]]s, including ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]'' (1975) and a sing-along version of ''[[The Sound of Music (film)|The Sound of Music]]'' (1965), and marathon performances including all seven [[Muppet]] films back to back. Prices are considerably cheaper than the main cinemas in the square; in 2013 a ticket for a new release at the Prince Charles cost £10, compared to £24 at the Odeon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/jan/15/cine-files-prince-charles-cinema|title=Cine-files: The Prince Charles Cinema|work=The Guardian|date=15 January 2013|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002125513/http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/jan/15/cine-files-prince-charles-cinema|archive-date=2 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Statue of Mr. Bean at Leicester Square.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mr. Bean (character)|Mr. Bean]] statue in the square as part of the ''[[Scenes in the Square]]'' sculpture trail.]]
Due to the Leicester Square's long association with cinema, a film-themed sculpture trail entitled ''[[Scenes in the Square]]'' was installed.<ref name="SITS 1">{{cite news |title=Celebrate 100 years of cinema with this interactive sculpture trail in Leicester Square |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/news/celebrate-100-years-of-cinema-with-this-interactive-sculpture-trail-in-leicester-square-011320 |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=Time Out London}}</ref> In February 2020, eight sculptures were installed which depict characters from the last 100 years of cinema including [[Laurel and Hardy]], [[Mary Poppins (character)|Mary Poppins]], [[Batman]], [[Bugs Bunny]], [[Don Lockwood]] portrayed by [[Gene Kelly]], [[Paddington Bear]], [[Mr. Bean (character)|Mr. Bean]], and [[Wonder Woman]].<ref name="SITS 1" /> In September 2020, a statue of [[Harry Potter]] riding a [[Nimbus 2000]] was installed, becoming the ninth statue in the exhibition.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hartley |first1=Laura |title=Harry Potter Quidditch statue unveiled in Leicester Square |url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/gallery/harry-potter-quidditch-statue-unveiled-19023066 |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=SurreyLive |date=30 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In June 2021, a statue of the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] from HBO TV series ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' was unveiled to mark 10 years since the release of the first episode.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Makoni |first1=Abbianca |title=Game of Thrones' Iron Throne comes to Leicester Square |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/game-of-thrones-iron-throne-leicester-square-b941979.html |access-date=6 July 2021 |work=London Evening Standard |date=22 June 2021}}</ref>

===Other attractions===

[[File:Leicester Square in September 2016.jpg|thumb|left|Leicester Square looking north-west towards Swiss Court. The [[Lego]] store is visible to the left.]]
Leicester Square is one of several places in the West End that puts on events relating to the [[Chinese New Year]]. The celebrations are organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association and held on the first Sunday during the new year period. Events include music, acrobatics and dancing. In 2015, the celebrations attracted more than 1,000 participants, becoming the largest of their kind in the UK. These included lion dances, a show of the Cultures of China and a drum show. A parade ran nearby through [[Charing Cross Road]] and [[Shaftesbury Avenue]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31575239|title=Thousands celebrate Chinese New Year in London|work=BBC News|date=22 February 2015|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008122857/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31575239|archive-date=8 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london24.com/entertainment/things-to-do/chinese_new_year_2015_in_london_the_quick_guide_1_3962843|title=Chinese New Year 2015 in London: The quick guide|publisher=London 24|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601065609/http://www.london24.com/entertainment/things-to-do/chinese_new_year_2015_in_london_the_quick_guide_1_3962843|archive-date=1 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Royal Dental Hospital]] and school was based at 40–41 from 1874 to 1901 and at 31–36 from 1901 to 1985, when the building was redeveloped as the Hampshire Hotel.<ref name="LMA">{{cite web |title=Royal Dental Hospital and School of Dental Surgery |url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/LMA_OPAC/web_detail/REFD+H42?SESSIONSEARCH |website=London Metropolitan Archives |access-date=26 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Survey South">{{cite book |editor-last1=Sheppard |editor-first1=F. H. W. |date=1966 |title=Survey of London: Volumes 33 and 34, St Anne Soho |chapter=Leicester Square, South Side: Leicester Estate, Nos 31–42 Leicester Square and Spur Street |chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp504-506 |location=London |publisher=London County Council |pages=504–506|access-date=26 July 2021}}</ref>

The School of English operated on Leicester Square from 1992 until its closure in 2015. It taught over 25,000 students during its years of operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buila.ac.uk/news/londons-leicester-square-school-of-english-closes/|title=London's Leicester Square School of English closes|publisher=British Universities' International Liaison Association|date=17 January 2015|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082959/http://www.buila.ac.uk/news/londons-leicester-square-school-of-english-closes/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To the west of the square was the location for the [[Swiss Centre, London|Swiss Centre]] from 1966 to 2008. The area is now named Swiss Court and still features a Swiss [[glockenspiel]] clock.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-15877241|title=Leicester Square Swiss glockenspiel restored by Smith of Derby|website=BBC News|date=28 November 2011|access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref> [[M&M's World]] is now on the former site of the Swiss Centre.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gormley |first=Paul |url=http://www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/swiss-centre-let-mandmworld/ |title=100% of redeveloped Swiss Centre on London's Leicester Square let with signing of 'M&M'S World' store - McAleer & Rushe |website=Mcaleer-rushe.co.uk |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=17 June 2024 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818182647/http://www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/swiss-centre-let-mandmworld/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The world's largest [[Lego]] store opened at 3 Swiss Court in November 2016. The opening was marked by unveiling a {{convert|6|m|adj=on}} high model of [[Big Ben]] made out of 200,000 Lego bricks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/17/worlds-largest-lego-store-opens-in-leicester-square/|title=World's largest LEGO store opens in Leicester Square|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=17 November 2016|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126002848/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/17/worlds-largest-lego-store-opens-in-leicester-square/|archive-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lego.com/en-gb/stores/stores/uk/london-leicester-square|title=The Lego Store – London Leicester Square|publisher=Lego (official website)|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126002027/https://www.lego.com/en-gb/stores/stores/uk/london-leicester-square|archive-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, [[Burger King]] announced it would open its first meat-free restaurant in Leicester Square. The restaurant is scheduled to operate from 14 March to 10 April.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Burger King launches its first meat-free restaurant in UK |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/burger-king-vegan-restaurant-uk-b2033627.html |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
The main [[electrical substation]] for the West End is beneath the square. The electrical cables to the substation are in a large tunnel ending at Leicester Square, and originating in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], at Plough Lane, behind the former [[Wimbledon F.C.]] football ground, before which the cables are above ground.<ref>[http://tdworld.com/mag/power_tunneling_london_developments/ ''Tunnelling Under London: Developments in cable tunnel design provide an economic and environmental solution to system reinforcement'' John Mathews (London Electricity, 1996)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031103221/http://tdworld.com/mag/power_tunneling_london_developments/ |date=31 October 2007 }} accessed 6 November 2007</ref>