The Biggest White Elephant In London

The Trocadero must, incredibly, lose more money than anything else in the capital.
Let’s see what it has going for it.
1) It’s just off Picadilley Circus and is close to Leicester Square in the heart of London’s West End.
2) It has loads of space within it.
3) It can be adapted to either hold many different outlets or a single attraction.
But it’s mostly empty. In its basement, which directly links to Picadilley Circus tube station, are several permamently failing businesses including money exchange places, barbers and bars. As far as I know, all of these businesses are currently closed.
Some of the exterior places do seem to do OK. The HMV is always busy. There’s a popular nightclub – On Anon. And a cafe and casino which probably do OK. There’s a UGC cinema which does so so business. And there’s Planet Hollywood which is still around, although the downstairs sections and screening room have been made into a separate private members’ bar and cinema.
Yet inside it’s mostly empty. Where once there was an IMAX cinema, there’s now a temporary “Titanic” exhibition. There’s a full-size bowling alley or at least there was last time I looked. And plenty of space for games machines. But the internet cafe has closed. And where once Sega had a massive multi-floor gamesworld, there’s now nothing at all. McDonalds moved out some years ago. Other attractions have been and gone over the years. Without a doubt there are hundred of square feet of real estate going to waste.
I don’t know why nothing’s ever worked there. Maybe the layout just doesn’t work for anything with little space on each floor, but many floors. But I find it amazing that nobody’s been able to make it work.
Having said all that, if you do happen to pass by, there a great “mini-bowling” alley that’s much better and more affordable than the full size one. At just a pound a go, you get 10 rounds on a shortened alley with smaller ball and smaller skittles. Great fun, and I can actually win at it (unlike the full-size version). Now where’s my Big Lebowski DVD?