Music groups' despair at Rayners Hotel sale

Music groups are planning a major protest over the sale of one of the UK's best-known live music pubs.

The Rayners Hotel in Harrow, north London, is set to close later this month after owner Spirit Group sold the building.

Bands and groups which use the venue now fear the site is to be cleared for a major development project.

Pub manager John O'Leary and his staff have been given notice that the pub will close by the end of January.

One long-standing customer of the pub is the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, which has been practising there for almost 25 years.

Director Bill Ashton described the Rayners as "the number

one big-band venue in the country".

"People are up in arms at what is happening and a major protest is being planned.

He added: "It's not right that such a first-class venue is no longer available because it has provided a real multicultural opportunity for musicians over the years."

Ashton revealed moves were already being made to block any plans for redevelopment of the site.

The protests are being supported by local MP Gareth Thomas, who is a music fan and Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Society member.

Spirit, which sold Rayners before its recent acquisition by Punch, said the decision followed a routine review of its estate.

"Where property values have increased significantly we may seek to realise some of this higher value for redeployment in our business and this is the case with the Rayners Hotel.

"We appreciate this may come as a disappointment to regular customers, especially the pub's loyal jazz contingent.

"We would like to stress that we will make every effort to ensure, where possible, our staff are found alternative employment," a spokesperson said.