January 15, 2009 13:10

Leicester Charlotte could close 'in two weeks'

Venue goes into administration

Leicester venue The Charlotte could close within the fortnight, the venue's management has warned.

The concert hall, formerly known as The Princess Charlotte, has been forced into administration following a major loss of financial backing.

The venue, run for the past 20 years by Andy Wright, has previously played host to some of the last two decades' biggest acts, including Blur, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and local heroes Kasabian (pictured), but could now face closure in as little as two weeks if a new financial source is not found to save its operating company, The Princess Charlotte Public House.

Talks are currently being held with the building's owners, Punch Taverns, over possible funding but, as Wright told Thisisleicestershire.co.uk: "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."

The Charlotte's problems have been blamed primarily on the rising popularity of larger venues in the neighboring cities of Nottingham and Birmingham, plus a general decline in audience numbers due to the current economic conditions.