Rock club closes on a sad note

By David Rankin

Last performer: John Otway

One of the London music scene's hottest blues and rock venues will hear its final notes next week.

The Worcester Park Club (WPC) at Worcester Park Tavern, Park Terrace, Worcester Park, has been going for six years and is renowned worldwide as a blues and rock venue, hosting acts including the Rolling Stones.

But it is to close on Friday, May 24, to make way for a new restaurant under plans by owners Scottish and Newcastle. Music lovers need not fear, though, as the organisers are to continue the night at the Woodstock in North Cheam.

The new venue doubles as a sports hall and the purpose-built WPC will be sorely missed as an ideal venue.

WPC organiser Pete Feenstra worked at the Empire in Shepherd's Bush before turning to the WPC in 1996.

He said: "It has become the most successful independently-run live music venue in greater London. It is a sad day really but we are moving to the Woodstock which has a 33-year musical history."

The Woodstock was the venue for the first ever Rolling Stones gig and has been booking live acts for years with great success.

And word of mouth will hopefully help ensure that the proud tradition started by Mr Feenstra continues.

He said: "When we went there it was a rough house but in six and a half years we have had no trouble. I will miss this venue."

The club will go out with a bang with acts including Joe Louis Walker and Otis Grand's Big Blues Band performing on Thursday, May 23.

The curtain will be drawn for the last time on Friday, May 24, with John Otway performing. He said: "This will be my fifth show at the WPC. It is a great venue because it has such a good sight line. We have always had a good laugh there. We even launched an album there because we liked it so much and have such a good fan base in the area."

A spokesman for Scottish & Newcastle said: "We are delighted to confirm that the Worcester Park Tavern is being closed for a £650,000 refurbishment and is due to open in August."

10:49am Friday 17th May 2002