New London theatre to be city’s biggest in 45 years

A five-storey, 1,575-seat theatre will be London's biggest since the National Theatre opened in 1976.

Trafalgar Entertainment has announced a 70-year lease on the new Olympia Theatre as part of its ambition to "create a venue of national stature as the UK emerges into a new era".

The company acquired HQ Theatres at the end of March, expanding its hold over the commercial theatre business. It has quickly become the UK's second biggest theatre company behind Ambassador Theatre Group.

It says it has "shown no signs of slowing down" and expects to move into the US market in the coming year.

Currently under construction, Olympia Theatre is scheduled to open in 2025.