Editing Leicester Square

{{Short description|Pedestrianised square in London, United Kingdom}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox street
| name                    = Leicester Square
| location                = [[City of Westminster]], [[Central London]]
| image                   = Redeveloped Leicester Square.jpg
| caption                 = Leicester Square in July 2012, following redevelopment
| map_type                = United Kingdom London Westminster
| map_caption             = Location within Central London
| coordinates             = {{coord|51.5104|-0.1301|region:GB-WSM_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code             = WC2
| maint                   = [[Westminster City Council]]
| metro_system            = tube
| metro                   = [[Leicester Square tube station|Leicester Square]]
| inauguration_date       = 1670
| designer                = [[Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester]]
| known_for               = {{unbulleted list|[[Odeon Leicester Square]]|[[Empire, Leicester Square]]|[[Odeon West End]]|World's largest [[Lego]] store}}
| website                 = {{URL|http://www.leicestersquare.london/}}
}}

'''Leicester Square''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Leicestersq.ogg|ˈ|l|ɛ|s|t|ɚ}} {{Respell|LEST|ər}}) is a [[pedestrian]]ised [[town square|square]] in the [[West End of London]], England, and is the centre of London's entertainment district.  It was laid out in 1670 as '''Leicester Fields''', which was named after the recently built [[Leicester House, Westminster|Leicester House]], itself named after [[Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester]]. The square was originally a [[gentrification|gentrified]] residential area, with tenants including [[Frederick, Prince of Wales]] and the artists [[William Hogarth]] and [[Joshua Reynolds]]. It became more down-market in the late 18th century as Leicester House was demolished and retail developments took place, becoming a centre for entertainment. Major theatres were built in the 19th century, which were converted to cinemas towards the middle of the next. Leicester Square is the location of nationally significant cinemas such as the [[Odeon Luxe Leicester Square]] and [[Empire, Leicester Square]], which are often used for film premieres. The nearby [[Prince Charles Cinema]] is known for its screenings of [[cult film]]s and marathon film runs. The square remains a tourist attraction which hosts events, including for the [[Chinese New Year]].

The square has always had a park in its centre, which was originally [[common land]]. The park's fortunes have varied over the centuries, reaching near dilapidation in the mid-19th century after changing ownership several times. It was restored under the direction of [[Albert Grant (company promoter)|Albert Grant]], which included the construction of four new statues and a [[Statue of William Shakespeare, Leicester Square|fountain of William Shakespeare]]. The square was extensively refurbished and remodelled for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] at a cost of more than £15&nbsp;million.

==Geography==
The square lies within an area bound by Lisle Street, to the north; [[Charing Cross Road]], to the east; Orange Street, to the south; and Whitcomb Street, to the west. The park at the centre of the square is bound by [[Cranbourn Street]], to the north; Leicester Street, to the east; Irving Street, to the south; and a section of road designated simply as Leicester Square, to the west. It is within the [[City of Westminster]], north of [[Trafalgar Square]], east of [[Piccadilly Circus]], west of [[Covent Garden]], and south of [[Cambridge Circus, London|Cambridge Circus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Leicester+Square,+London+WC2H/@51.5097348,-0.1310721,17.5z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x487604d214307b8f:0xaad147d2ad11768b|title=Leicester Square|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref>

The nearest [[London Underground]] station is {{lus|Leicester Square}}, which opened in 1906.<ref name="Follenfant1975">{{cite book|last=Follenfant|first=H. G.|title=Reconstructing London's underground|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bSBPAQAAIAAJ|year=1975|publisher=London Transport Executive|page=45|isbn=9780853290391|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725143443/http://books.google.com/books?id=bSBPAQAAIAAJ|archive-date=25 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> London bus routes [[London Buses route 24|24]], [[London Buses route 29|29]] and [[London Buses route 176|176]] run on nearby Charing Cross Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bus-route-maps/central-london-bus-map.pdf|title=Central London Tube Map|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=2 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705012142/https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bus-route-maps/central-london-bus-map.pdf|archive-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>

Leicester Square has also been used as the name for the immediate surrounding area, roughly corresponding with [[Coventry Street]], Cranbourn Street, Charing Cross Road and St Martin's Street.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}} This includes Bear Street,{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=25}} [[Haymarket, London|Haymarket]],{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=156}} Hobhouse Court (named after Sir [[John Cam Hobhouse]]),<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/hobhouse-court-naming| title= Plaque: Hobhouse Court – naming| date= 8 July 2016| access-date= 7 October 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171008075827/http://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/hobhouse-court-naming| archive-date= 8 October 2017| url-status= live}}</ref> Hunt's Court (after Samuel Hunt, 17th century carpenter and leaseholder),{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=168}} Irving Street (after actor [[Henry Irving]]),{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=170}} Orange Street (named after [[William III of England|William III]], Prince of Orange),{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=235}} Oxendon Street (after [[Sir Henry Oxenden, 1st Baronet]]),{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=237}} Panton Street (after local property dealer [[Thomas Panton (gambler)|Thomas Panton]]),{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=239}} and [[Trafalgar Square]].{{sfn|Fairfield|1983|p=319}}

==History==

===16th–18th centuries===
[[File:Leicester Square en 1750.JPG|thumb|Leicester Square in 1750, looking north towards Leicester House, then one of the largest houses in London.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}}]]
The land where Leicester Square now lies once belonged to the Abbot and Convent of [[Westminster Abbey]] and the [[Baron Beaumont|Beaumont family]]. In 1536, [[Henry VIII]] took control of {{convert|3|acre|ha}} of land around the square, with the remaining {{convert|4|acre|ha}} being transferred to the king the following year. The square is named after [[Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester]], who purchased this land in 1630.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}} By 1635, he had built himself a large house, [[Leicester House (Westminster)|Leicester House]], at the northern end. The area in front of the house was then enclosed, depriving inhabitants of [[St Martin in the Fields (parish)|St Martin in the Fields]] parish of their right to use the previously common land. The parishioners appealed to King [[Charles I of England|Charles I]], and he appointed three members of the [[privy council]] to arbitrate. Lord Leicester was ordered to keep part of his land (thereafter known as Leicester Fields and later as Leicester Square) open for the parishioners. <ref name=north>{{cite journal|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41120|title=Leicester Square, North Side, and Lisle Street Area: Leicester Estate: Leicester House and Leicester Square North Side (Nos 1–16)|journal=Survey of London|volume=33–34 : St Anne Soho|year=1966|pages=441–472|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015054410/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41120|archive-date=15 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The square was laid out to the south of Leicester House and developed in the 1670s. The area was originally entirely residential, with properties laid out in a similar style to nearby [[Pall Mall, London|Pall Mall]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}} In 1687, the northern part of the square became part of the new parish of [[St Anne Within the Liberty of Westminster|St Anne, Soho]]. The [[Jocelyn Sidney, 7th Earl of Leicester|7th Earl of Leicester]] took ownership of the property in 1728 and it was the residence of [[Frederick, Prince of Wales]], from 1742 until his death in 1751 and that of his wife Princess [[Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha|Augusta]] until 1771.<ref name=north/> The poet [[Matthew Prior]] lived at what is now No.&nbsp;21 around 1700 and artist [[William Hogarth]] resided at No&nbsp;30 between 1733 and 1764, where he produced some of his best known works including ''[[Gin Lane]]''.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}} The magistrate [[Thomas de Veil]], later to found [[Bow Street Magistrates' Court]], lived at No&nbsp;40 between 1729 and 1737; this location is now The Londoner hotel and [[Odeon Luxe West End]] cinema.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}} The painter [[Joshua Reynolds]] lived at No&nbsp;47 from 1760 until his death in 1792; this location is now Fanum House, once [[the Automobile Association]] head office.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}}

At the end of the 17th century, Lord Leicester's heir, [[Philip Sidney, 3rd Earl of Leicester]], permitted a small amount of retail development in booths along the front of Leicester House.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}} A statue of [[George I of Great Britain|George I]] was built on the square in 1760 following the coronation of his great-grandson, [[George III]].{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=89}} The square remained fashionable throughout most of the 18th century, with notable residents including the architect [[James Stuart (1713–1788)|James Stuart]] at No&nbsp;35 from 1766 to 1788 and the painter [[John Singleton Copley]] at No.&nbsp;28 from 1776 to 1783.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}}

Leicester House was intermittently inhabited during the mid-18th century, and was finally sold to the naturalist [[Ashton Lever]] in 1775. Lever turned the house into a museum with a significant amount of natural history objects. In turn, the square began to serve as a venue for popular entertainments.<ref name=north/> [[Brothel]]s began to appear around Leicester Square during the century, and visitors could pay to watch the severed heads of traitors executed at [[Temple Bar, London|Temple Bar]] through a [[telescope]].{{sfn|Moore|2003|pp=87,89}} Leicester House became home of a museum of natural curiosities called the [[Leverian collection|Holophusikon]] in the 1780s.<ref name=north/>{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|pp=478–479}} It was demolished in 1791–72 due to rising debts following the extinction of the Leicester peerage, and replaced by Leicester Place. That in turn was converted into a church in 1865 and is now the site of the [[Prince Charles Cinema]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=479}}

In 1790, a new [[Royal Opera House]] was proposed to be built in Leicester Square. The scheme was led by the [[George IV|Prince of Wales]], [[Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford]] and [[James Cecil, 1st Marquess of Salisbury]] and aimed to re-establish London as a centre for Italian opera and ballet, with an opera house to rival those in mainland Europe. The opera house was never built, as the [[patent theatre|royal patent]] needed at that time to license a theatre was refused.<ref>{{cite journal|title=A Royal Opera House in Leicester Square (1790)|periodical=Cambridge Opera Journal|last1=Price|last2=Milhous|last3=Hume|first1=Curtis|first2=Judith|first3=Robert D.|date=March 1990|pages=1–28|volume=2|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge, UK}}</ref> The plans for the original design are preserved in [[Sir John Soane's Museum]], while a 1790 painting by [[William Hodges]], which displays the finished design, belongs to the [[Museum of London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/leicester-square-london-with-the-design-for-a-proposed-new-opera-house-50836|title=Leicester Square, London, with the Design for a Proposed New Opera House|access-date=20 January 2015|publisher=[[Art UK]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314044831/http://artuk.org/discover/artworks/leicester-square-london-with-the-design-for-a-proposed-new-opera-house-50836|archive-date=14 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===19th–21st centuries===
[[File:Leicester Square with the Alhambra formerly the Royal Panopticon ILN 1874.jpg|thumb|left|Leicester Square overlooking the [[Alhambra Theatre]] in 1874]]
By the 19th century, Leicester Square was known as an entertainment venue, with many amusements peculiar to the era, including [[Wyld's Great Globe]], which was built for the [[Great Exhibition]] of 1851 and housed a giant scale map of the Earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianlondon.org/districts/leicestersquare.htm|title=A Journey Round the Globe|work=[[Punch (magazine)|Punch]]|year=1851|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174847/http://www.victorianlondon.org/districts/leicestersquare.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|The globe gave a complete view of the world at a scale of ten miles / inch. [[James Wyld]] constructed the globe as he believed it would show the importance of Britain and revitalise Leicester Square, which was becoming downtrodden by the 1850s.{{sfn|Black|2000|pp=29–31}}}} The construction of New [[Coventry Street]] made it easier for traffic to access the square, resulting in private residences being replaced by shops, museums and exhibition centres. [[Savile House]] at No.&nbsp;5–6, built in 1683 for [[Thomas Bruce, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury]], had become a museum by this time, and was ultimately destroyed by fire in 1865. It was rebuilt as the Empire Theatre.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|pp=480, 822}}<ref name=north/>

Several foreign-owned hotels were established around the square, making it popular with visitors to London. [[Brunet's Hôtel]] at No.&nbsp;25 was opened by Louis Brunet in 1800, later expanding to Nos.&nbsp;24 and 26 during the following decade. It was bought by Francis Jaunay in 1815 known as [[Jaunay's Hôtel]]. The [[Hôtel Sablonière et de Provence]] opened at No.&nbsp;17–18 in 1845 as the Hôtel de Provence, and renamed in 1869. It closed in 1919 and became a public house. The [[Cavour Hotel|Cavour]], at No.&nbsp;20 at the southeast of the square, opened in 1864. It was badly damaged in World War II but subsequently restored.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=Leicester Square, East Side: Leicester Estate, Nos 17–30 Leicester Square and Irving Street (formerly Green Street)|journal=Survey of London|volume=33–34: St Anne Soho|editor=F H W Sheppard|location=London|year=1966|pages=448–503|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp488-503|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212204/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp488-503|archive-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Leicester Square c1880.jpg|thumb|Leicester Square in 1880, looking north east]]
The [[Alhambra Theatre]] was built in 1854 on the east side of the square, dominating the site. It temporarily closed two years later when the original owner, Edward Clarke, became bankrupt, but then reopened in 1858 as the Alhambra Palace. It enjoyed a surge in popularity after [[Queen Victoria]] and family came to see "Black Eagle – The Horse of Beauty". It burned down in 1882, but reopened the following year.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|pp=16–17}} In the early 20th century, the theatre became a popular venue for ballet. It was demolished in 1936 and replaced by the [[Odeon Leicester Square|Odeon Cinema]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|pp=16–17}} The [[Empire, Leicester Square|Empire Theatre of Varieties]] opened in 1884 on the former site of Savile House, but had a troubled start, closing for a time, until the end of the decade. The theatre gained a reputation for high-class [[prostitute]]s frequenting the theatre, and in 1894 the [[London County Council]] ordered the promenade on the upper balcony to be remodelled. A young [[Winston Churchill]], then a cadet at the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]], helped destroy canvas screens that had been erected to prevent access to the balcony. The theatre closed in 1927, to be replaced by the [[Empire, Leicester Square|Empire Cinema]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=272}}

During the [[Winter of Discontent]], where the incumbent [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] struggled to meet demands of trade unions and a shrinking economy, refuse collectors went on strike in January 1979. Leicester Square was turned into a ''de facto'' dump, earning it the nickname of "[[wikt:fester|Fester]] Square".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7598366.stm|title=Then was the winter of our discontent|work=BBC Radio 4|access-date=3 October 2015|date=5 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005171919/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7598366.stm|archive-date=5 October 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1980s, the square was [[pedestrianisation|pedestrianised]], cutting off all vehicular traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myparks.westminster.gov.uk/parks/leicester-square-gardens/|title=Leicester Square Gardens|publisher=Westminster City Council|year=2010|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007033607/http://myparks.westminster.gov.uk/parks/leicester-square-gardens/|archive-date=7 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Access to the square for goods and deliveries is now controlled by specially designated marshals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westminster.gov.uk/marshals|title=Marshals|publisher=Westminster City Council|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007030912/https://www.westminster.gov.uk/marshals|archive-date=7 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

By the start of the 21st century, [[Westminster City Council]] were concerned that the square was too dangerous at night, and wanted to demolish sections of it to encourage the growth of theatres and cinemas, and reduce popularity of nightclubs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2861799.stm|title=Facelift hope for Leicester Square|work=BBC News|date=18 March 2003|access-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040113221107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2861799.stm|archive-date=13 January 2004|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, a major redevelopment of Leicester Square took place as part of a Great Outdoors scheme proposed by the [[Mayor of London]], [[Boris Johnson]].<ref name=refurb>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2012/05/transformed-leicester-square-brings-new-jobs-and-boost-to-west|title=Transformed Leicester Square Brings New Jobs and Boost to West End|publisher=Greater London Authority|date=23 May 2012|access-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004141708/https://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2012/05/transformed-leicester-square-brings-new-jobs-and-boost-to-west|archive-date=4 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The improvements included {{convert|12000|sqm|sqft}} of granite paving and a [[water feature]] surrounding the Shakespeare statue.<ref name=ind_refurb/> The square re-opened in May 2012 after 17 months' work at a total cost of £15.3 million. The [[Greater London Authority]] said the refurbishments would accommodate more than 1,000 new jobs.<ref name=refurb/> The re-opening coincided with the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] later that year.<ref name=ind_refurb>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/newlook-leicester-square-reopens-7781842.html | work=The Independent | title=New-look Leicester Square reopens | date=23 May 2012 | access-date=3 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205135420/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/newlook-leicester-square-reopens-7781842.html | archive-date=5 December 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==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>

==Cultural references==
In 1726, anatomist [[Nathaniel St André]] claimed to have delivered rabbits from [[Mary Toft]], a woman who lived at No.&nbsp;27 Leicester Square. The event was widely reported around London, attracting interest from King [[George I of Great Britain|George I]] and [[Royal Society]] president [[Hans Sloane]]. Shortly afterwards, the woman was caught trying to buy a rabbit in secret, and the incident was uncovered as a hoax.{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}}

Leicester Square is commemorated in the lyrics of the [[music hall]] song "[[It's a Long Way to Tipperary]]" along with nearby [[Piccadilly]], which became popular with soldiers during [[World War I]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al|2008|p=480}} During the war, British inmates of [[Ruhleben internment camp|Ruhleben]] Prisoner of War camp mentioned the square in a song: "Shout this chorus all you can. We want the people there, to hear in Leicester Square, That we're the boys that never get downhearted."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28420676|title=The prisoners of war who made Little Britain in Berlin|work=BBC News|date=29 July 2014|access-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925180809/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28420676|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It is mentioned in the lyrics of several [[Band (rock and pop)|rock & pop band]] tracks, including the [[Rolling Stones]]' notorious "[[Schoolboy Blues|Cocksucker Blues]]", (1970)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/cocksucker-blues-lyrics-rolling-stones.html|title=Rolling Stones – Cocksucker Blues|publisher=MetroLyrics|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027055009/http://www.metrolyrics.com/cocksucker-blues-lyrics-rolling-stones.html|archive-date=27 October 2015|url-status=unfit}}</ref> "Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square" on [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]]'s album ''[[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]]'' (1969),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/jeffrey-goes-to-leicester-square-lyrics-jethro-tull.html|title=Jethro Tull – Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square|publisher=MetroLyrics|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304140612/http://www.metrolyrics.com/jeffrey-goes-to-leicester-square-lyrics-jethro-tull.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=unfit}}</ref> "Emit Remmus" on the album ''[[Californication (album)|Californication]]'' by the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] (1999),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/emit-remmus-lyrics-red-hot-chili-peppers.html|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers : Emit Remmus|publisher=MetroLyrics|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227125043/http://www.metrolyrics.com/emit-remmus-lyrics-red-hot-chili-peppers.html|archive-date=27 February 2016|url-status=unfit}}</ref> "[[He's on the Phone]]" (1995) by [[Saint Etienne (band)|Saint Etienne]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1543426/Saint+Etienne/He%27s+on+the+Phone |title=He's on the Phone Lyrics |access-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908015744/https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1543426/Saint+Etienne/He%27s+on+the+Phone |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and "Leicester Square" on [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]]'s ''[[Life Won't Wait]]'' (1998).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/leicester-square-lyrics-rancid.html|title=Rancid : Leicester Square|publisher=MetroLyrics|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213320/http://www.metrolyrics.com/leicester-square-lyrics-rancid.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=unfit}}</ref> A verse in "Something About England" on [[the Clash]]'s 1980 album ''[[Sandinista!]]'' refers back to "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", including a reference to Leicester Square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/something-about-england-lyrics-the-clash.html|title=Something About England : The Clash|publisher=MetroLyrics|access-date=12 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613133554/http://www.metrolyrics.com/something-about-england-lyrics-the-clash.html|archive-date=13 June 2016|url-status=unfit}}</ref>

Leicester Square is one of a group of three on the British ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]'' board along with [[Coventry Street]] and Piccadilly. The board was set out by designers Victor Watson and Marge Phillips in the order of entertainment on a Saturday night: film at Leicester Square, meal in Coventry Street and hotel on Piccadilly.{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=86}}

==Pronunciation==
The word ''Leicester'' features the ending ''-cester'' which is with rare exceptions spoken as a simplified pronunciation, so is counterintuitive, a quirk of British English. A report by [[Premier Inn]] said that Leicester Square was the British place name most mispronounced by tourists, usually as "{{IPAc-en|l|aɪ|ˈ|tʃ|ɛ|s|t|ər}}" ("Lie-chester") Square.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.london24.com/news/leicester_square_london_most_mispronounced_place_names_premier_inn_classes_tourists_souothwark_holborn_1_1457983|title=Leicester Square most mispronounced place name – classes for tourists on offer|work=London 24|date=24 July 2012|access-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004111457/http://www.london24.com/news/leicester_square_london_most_mispronounced_place_names_premier_inn_classes_tourists_souothwark_holborn_1_1457983|archive-date=4 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of eponymous roads in London]]
* [[1 Leicester Square]]
* [[Swiss Centre, London]]
* [[Scenes in the Square]]

==References==
=== Explanatory notes ===
{{Notelist|30em}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== General and cited references ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Black |first=Barbara J. |year=2000 |title=On Exhibit: Victorians and Their Museums |publisher=University of Virginia Press |isbn=978-0-813-91897-6}}
* {{Cite book |last=Fairfield |first=Sheila |year=1983 |title=The Streets of London: A Dictionary of the Names and Their Origins |publisher=Papermac |isbn=978-0-333-28649-4}}
* {{Cite book |last=Fullman |first=Joseph |year=2008 |title=Take the Kids London |publisher=New Holland Publishers |isbn=978-1-86011-398-7}}
* {{Cite book |last=Moore |first=Tim |year=2003 |title=Do Not Pass Go |publisher=Vintage |isbn=978-0-09-943386-6}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Piper |first1=David |last2=Jervis |first2=Fionnuala |year=2000 |title=The Companion Guide to London |publisher=Companion Guides |isbn=978-1-900-63936-1}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |last1=Weinreb |first1=Ben |last2=Hibbert |first2=Christopher |last3=Keay |first3=Julia |last4=Keay |first4=John |year=2008 |title=The London Encyclopedia |publisher=Pan MacMillan |isbn=978-1-4050-4924-5 |ref={{harvid |Weinreb et al |2008}}}}
* {{Cite book |last=Wheeler |first=Paul |year=2009 |title=High Definition Cinematography |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-136-05449-5}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |publisher = J.C. Hotten |publication-place = London |title = Curiosities of London |edition=2nd |author = John Timbs |author-link=John Timbs |publication-date = 1867 |oclc = 12878129 |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/curiositiesoflon00timbrich#page/510/mode/2up |chapter= Leicester Square|year = 1867 |ref=none }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|London/Leicester Square}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160322093238/http://www.coventgarden.uk.com/featureshistory/fh_streets.php?c_id=street&p_id=features&street=63&submit=go&submitted=true History of Leicester Square]
* [http://www.radissonedwardian.co.uk/leicester-sq-webcam.html Leicester Square Webcam – 8 preset views from the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610063752/http://www.radissonedwardian.co.uk/leicester-sq-webcam.html |date=10 June 2007 }}
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=41120 Detailed information about the history and buildings of Leicester Square from the Survey of London]
* [http://www.camvista.com/england/london/leicestersquare.php3 Leicester Square webcam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412073330/http://www.camvista.com/england/london/leicestersquare.php3 |date=12 April 2018 }}
* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/districts/leicestersquare.htm More on the history of Leicester Square at www.VictorianLondon.org]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071202185855/http://www.lsq.tv/ Leicester Square Television]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131707/http://londonfilmpremieres.com/ Leicester Square London Film Premieres]
* [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LeicesterSquareTheatresandCinemas.htm History of Leicester Square's Theatres and Cinemas]

{{London landmarks}}

[[Category:Leicester Square| ]]
[[Category:1670s establishments in England]]
[[Category:Cinemas in London|*Leicester Square]]
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