December 22, 2008 10:50

London Astoria's closing date set?

Speculation grows iconic venue to close its doors in January

Iconic London venue The Astoria could be set to close its doors on January 15, NME.COM has learned.

Speculation over when the hall – a converted cinema – would stage its last night has mounted since it was announced that legislation had been passed to make its demolition possible.

The venue is being knocked down to make way for a new railway station as part of the Crossrail project that will install a new line linking the east and west of the capital.

Fellow central London venue Metro will also be demolished.

According to several sources who have spoken to NME.COM, January 15 now looks likely to be the Astoria's final night with the control of the building due to be given to relevant authorities on the 19th, although the venue's owners have yet to confirm this.

A host of gigs set to take place at the Astoria 2, which is part of the same building, have been moved to across town to the Islington Academy, according to the Astoria's listings page.

New Year's Eve events (December 31) with Juicy at the Astoria and Noah And The Whale playing Astoria 2's PUSH night are still set to go ahead.

It's not clear what will happen to gigs scheduled to take place at the venue after January 15 yet, although they are expected to be moved too.