Pet Shop Boys and more condemn 'cultural vandalism' of Earls Court demolition

Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant has joined a host of figures from music, art and science to condemn the proposed demolition of Earls Court.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the west London venue would be knocked down as part of a 77-acre redevelopment scheme.

In a letter to the Evening Standard, Tennant joined designers Ozwald Boateng and Bella Freud and comedian Tracey Ullman in calling for the Art Deco exhibition and concert venue to be restored rather than bulldozed.

The venue will be knocked down in early 2015 to make way for the £8 billion redevelopment in west Kensington. In the letter, the group described the plans as "cultural vandalism" and called the site the "heart and hub" of the capital’s artistic community.

"Trade shows, product fairs, artists, musicians and performers hold this venue in high esteem because it offers an unrivalled space in a central location. The substantial loss of income to local traders and to London as a whole is inexcusable," they wrote.

The centre, which first opened to the public in 1937, was also used as a venue during the 2012 London Olympics. Over the years, it has hosted the Brit Awards ceremony and has seen performances from Oasis, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Muse and countless others.

A spokesperson for Capco said the plans would bring invstment and new jobs to the area. He added: "Over the past three years Capco has invested £30 million in Olympia London, less than a mile away, to upgrade the venue, ensuring that west London retains a world-class event and exhibition venue…The lion’s share of present events and exhibitions business at Earls Court will transfer to Olympia London."