Abbey Road Studios finally make the grade - Grade II listed status for iconic Beatles site

Published: 26 February 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

ABBEY Road studios have been given listed status following a public outcry over plans to sell the famous recording venue.

Grade II listed status was granted “overwhelmingly on the historic merit of the studios”, and should secure the building’s future as a recording studio.

The application was fast-tracked in response to fears of a quick-fire sale by owners EMI, though the record label claimed it has no intention of selling.

Intense speculation that the building could be lost for a reported £30million, led to the National Trust and Sir Paul McCartney mounting a campaign to save it.

EMI said it had rejected a bid for the building last year and was in discussions about “revitalising” the studios.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge said: “Music – of whichever genre – is the thread that follows us through all our lives and Abbey Road studios have produced some of the very best music in the world. It is a testament to both the importance of music in people’s lives as well as the passion this kind of issue stirs up, that so much interest has been generated by the perceived threat to the future of Abbey Road.”

EMI said: “At all times these plans have focused on providing access to artists and, where possible, members of the public. In mid-2009 we did receive an offer to buy Abbey Road for in excess of £30million but this was rejected since we believe that Abbey Road should remain in EMI’s ownership.”

The movement to save the studios began when radio DJ Chris Evans called on the National Trust to take action. It precipitated a wave of debate and emotion on social networking sites.