Leicester Square is the centre of London's cinema land. UK film premieres are typically hosted at one of the four cinemas located directly within the square. Various claims about the cinemas in the Square are made including that it contains the cinema with the largest screen and the cinema with the most number of seats (over 2000). It is named and built on the site of 'Leicester Fields', which were the fields in front of the Earl of Leicester's mansion. The area was developed in the 1670s.
The square is also the home for 'tkts', formerly known as the Official London Half-Price Theatre Ticket Booth. This booth is jointly owned and operated by various theatre groups. Tickets for theatre performances taking place around the West End that day are sold from the booth for around half-price. The popularity of the booth has given rise to many other booths and stores around the square advertising 'half price' tickets for West End shows. It is claimed that at least some of these booths are fraudulent. Despite having names like 'Official Half-Price Ticket Booth', they are neither official nor do they offer half-price tickets.
The square is home to several nightclubs and is consequently often very busy, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. Some claim that the Square has a relatively 'seedy' atmosphere.
Capital Radio moved its headquarters and London studios to Leicester Square in 1997. XFM, an "indie music" radio station, owned by Capital Radio also share the building.
Prince Charles Cinema is a cheap ticket and cult film cinema famed for its regular showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Sing-a-long Sound of Music.
