A CLOSURE threat is hanging over one of Liverpool's most successful creative centres, just two years before the city becomes Capital of Culture.
A hub of businesses in city centre Parr Street, including the famous music studios where three Grammy award-winning albums have been recorded, could all make way for 41 new apartments.
Property owners Hit and Run, a company owned by Phil Collins and two other members of rock band Genesis, have applied to turn the site into luxury apartments.
The plan has been met with disgust by many in the city's cultural community who believe it represents a dreadful blow in the run-up to 2008.
Parr Street is the biggest recording studio outside London and in its dozen years of operation has attracted huge names including New Order, Pulp, The Beautiful South and The Charlatans.
The site also includes a number of design and graphics companies, as well as the popular 3345 Parr Street restaurant and private members' club..
Music producer Ken Nelson has won three Grammy awards during his time at Parr Street, thanks principally to his work on Coldplay's hugely successful albums, Parachutes and Rush of Blood to the Head.
Most recently, the band recorded four songs for current album X&Y with him in Liverpool.
Last night, Mr Nelson said: "To lose a facility like this, the only one of its kind outside London, would be a great shame to say the least.
"I have encouraged all the bands I have worked with to come to Liverpool to record at Parr Street, bands like Coldplay, Feeder and Embrace.
"If the studio closes down, these great artists will have no reason to come to Liverpool to record their albums."
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