Help! EMI in talks to save Abbey Road with investors

By James Hall Published: 11:09PM GMT twenty-one February 2010

EMI pronounced it was seeking to keep Abbey Road as a operative studio. The Beatles available the infancy of their albums there Photo: Apple Corps Ltd 2009/PA Wire

EMI pronounced on Sunday that it is in discussions with intensity parties "with a perspective to them financing these plans and progressing this singular venue". The intensity investors" identities were not disclosed but EMI, that is owned by in isolation equity association Terra Firma, described the third parties as "interested and appropriate".

EMI"s proclamation followed a week of conjecture that it was seeking to sell Abbey Road that is where The Beatles available the infancy of their albums to assistance it compensate down debts of around �2.6bn.

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The refurbishment plans engage keeping Abbey Road as a operative college of music but on condition that entrance to members of the open "where possible". A Beatles notable relic could be underneath consideration, observers believe.

Rumours of a sale led to English Heritage propelling the Government to validate the class II listed letter of reference for the complex. National Trust was additionally reported to be marshalling a consortium of intensity buyers to rescue the studio.

Last week countless "Save Abbey Road" campaigns sprang up on Facebook, whilst ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney called for Abbey Road to be saved. Lord Lloyd-Webber, the composer, additionally pronounced he was "very interested" in shopping the studios.

EMI pronounced yesterday: "When Terra Firma acquired EMI in 2007, it done the refuge of Abbey Road a priority. The studios had, for a series of years, been losing income and we have grown plans to revitalize the studios. These plans would engage a estimable injection of new capital. Since Nov 2009, EMI has hold discussions with a series of parties with a perspective to them financing these plans."

EMI pronounced that last year it perceived an suggest to buy Abbey Road for some-more than �30m but this was deserted given "we hold that [it] should sojourn in EMI"s ownership".