Famous venue faces closure

Paul McCartney is among the venue's supporters

A famous Liverpool music venue is facing closure because its owner is running out of money.

The Flying Picket - where bands such as the The Las, The Coral and Cast have all played - is part of the city's trade union-run People's Centre, in Hardman Street.

But the centre - which provides a wide range of advice, resource and support services to people in the city - is facing a cash crisis and the building could be sold off to developers.

Equipment and other facilities at the Picket - which includes a recording studio - have been provided by supporters such as Sir Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Elvis Costello and Yoko Ono.

One option being considered to ease the cash problems is to sell up and set up at cheaper premises.

Drastic action

Picket manager Phil Hayes said: "It seems a crazy situation to move to a new building when we've already got established facilities here which have taken us something like 15 years to develop."

But the manager of the People's Centre, Bob Braddock, said drastic action was necessary.

He said: "I've had over 100 letters asking me not to close the Picket but I'd say to those people, fine you're pushing at an open door, but tell me how we raise the money to keep that?"

A decision on the future of the venue was due to be made on Wednesday evening at a management meeting.