The Astoria to close
22 September 2006

One of London’s biggest music venues is rumoured to be closing.

The long queues of punters snaking around the corner, backing up into the refines of Soho Square are a regular feature if you’re strolling down Charing Cross Road of an early evening. A game I like to play involves studying what they are wearing and trying to guess who they are queuing to see live – hmmm… could it be Oasis? Kylie Minogue? Or perhaps they’re limbering up for G-A-Y?

Games aside, the rumour on the street is that a property development company have offered an awful lot of money to purchase this piece of prime real estate.

Currently leased to The Meanfiddler on a contract that ends in December 2008, this 2,000 capacity venue has been snapped up by Derwent Valley.

Although no official plans for the development have been released as of yet, it has been suggested that they will comprise of shops, office space and flats. Derwent Valley already own land surrounding the Astoria and opponents to the plans suggest that they may develop the entire block into a retail complex.

The Astoria has been run by The Meanfiddler since 2000 and has provided one of London’s biggest and brashest venues, with highlights including Radiohead, The Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam.

If you want to preserve a little piece of your own personal music history then check out the following link to read up about the plans and sign a petition: www.myspace.com/savetheastoria

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Connor said on 25th March ... "Save Astoria it can't close down!"
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moley said on 25th April ... "The astoria rocks. Would hate to see it close down. Join save the astoria!"
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Mandy Carter MyVillage said on 01st November ... "Astoria is where the good, the bad and the unfortunately ugly have all fired up their guitars and rocked out the stage.

Seen plenty of bands here - Disturbed, Smashing Pumpkins, Alter Bridge to name but a few. G.A.Y makes Astoria its home every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday - a happy bouncy ‘up for it’ crowd that don’t mind the odd straight mate. G.A.Y usually pulls in top singers / bands to entertain its crowd - expect to queue round the block and back again when Kylie and her sequined pants is in town.

Did you know that the London Astoria was originally built as a pickle factory for food producers Crosse and Blackwell? Well, you do now."
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