THE doors of a Malvern live music venue remain closed after a meeting was held to discuss its future.

The Post Office, which owns the Great Malvern Club building, former club chairman Mal Downey, district council leader Tom Wells and other interested parties met for discussions last week.

Coun Wells is appealing for anybody interested in running the building as a live events' venue to get in touch with him.

He said: "It appears there may be some outstanding issues with the existing tenancy agreement. It appears to me the way forward probably involves a new tenancy arrangement with a new party."

Post Office spokesman Dan Panes said it was talking to the current leaseholder about future plans for the club on its Malvern premises.

"What is clear is that the site would need a significant investment in order to make it fit for purpose," he said.

"I think we would be open to approaches from interested parties with the above caveat. Of course at present the Conservative Club is still the leaseholder."

Dr Downey said the club's former committee had been disbanded and was no longer interested in leasing the building because the Post Office would not guarantee it the five year lease needed before it could invest in essential refurbishment work.

"I was at the meeting not to discuss arguments between the Post Office and the former management of the club but to see how I personally could assist any new management with a lease," he added.

Malcolm Victory, of Malvern Fringe, who also attended the meeting, claimed the Post Office would not grant the club a five-year lease extension because a property developer interested in buying the building had approached it.

Mr Panes said: "Our first priority is with the main operating sides of our business and we need to make sure we do what is right with the Post Office and the Royal Mail delivery office on that site.

"We want to keep all our options open. At present there is still a tenant on site and a considerable amount of investment would be needed for us to be able to rent it out again."

Anyone interested in running the venue can contact Coun Wells on 01905 831752.