Famous city venue faces closure

Leicester's most famous music venue is facing closure, it was revealed today.

The Charlotte, which has attracted bands such as Oasis, Coldplay, Blur, Supergrass, Babyshambles and the Arctic Monkeys, could be hosting its last gig within two weeks.

Bosses today blamed its plight on a fall in audience numbers and losing major names to bigger venues.

They said the venue would be forced to shut at the end of the month if new financial backing could not be found.

Andy Wright, who has run the venue for 20 years, has put its operating company, The Princess Charlotte Public House Ltd, into administration, because it did not have enough money to continue.

He is now seeking talks with Punch Taverns, which owns the building, about a possible financial lifeline.

Mr Wright said: "Basically, if they are not prepared to support it and prop it up, it's the end of an era. If Punch decided not to support the venue, we would need someone to come in, and put in some money.

"Something has to be approved by the end of the month or it will close. It's a legendary venue. It would be a big shame to see it go."

Punch has said it would meet Mr Wright to discuss the future of the venue, in Oxford Street.

Mr Wright said a fall in audience numbers because of the economic downturn and the popularity of bigger venues in Nottingham and Birmingham had badly hit the venue.

He said: "If I was expecting a busy time between now and Easter I would have looked at carrying on. But because of the downturn, and how that has affected us, we have got fewer bookings and I don't know how I would get to pay the bills."

The Charlotte has played host to some of the top bands touring the UK, including The Scissor Sisters in 2004 and Arctic Monkeys in 2005.

Oasis were recently reported as saying that playing to a packed-out Charlotte in 1995 was their second-best gig ever.

A spokeswoman for Punch said: "The Princess Charlotte is an important venue to the Leicestershire area and we are committed to its future."

Regular gig-goer Jon Young, 30, of Leicester's West End, said: "It would be a big shame if The Charlotte closed. There are not many places for bands to play in Leicester, especially local bands."

Another fan, Michael Mulligan, 33, of Narborough Road, Leicester, said: "It's an iconic and legendary venue which is nationally renowned – you only have to look at some of the bands who have played there over the years."