Town nightclub up for sale

A Shropshire nightclub which has attracted some of the UK's biggest acts and is a platform for the county's up and coming bands is up for sale, it was revealed today.

The Buttermarket in Howard Street, Shrewsbury, is for sale with Birmingham-based Christie & Co with a guide price of £900,000.

But owner Kerry Wycherley said he would only sell the venue to the "right person".

Mr Wycherley is to reopen the club tonight after it was forced to shut for two weeks because of a row over a £23,000 water bill.

The nightclub boss said the building had been for sale for some months and was not in any way related to the water bill issue.

Mr Wycherley said the club had been serving the area as an important cultural and entertainment centre for more than 25 years.

The 61-year-old said he had considered retiring from the industry but said he would only step down if he was able to find a suitable successor and get the right price for the building.

Mr Wycherley said: "They would have to come up with a big offer and whoever wanted to buy it would have to carry on the same tradition that we have got.

"We have already turned down two lots of people because they don't want to operate it the way we want."

Mr Wycherley said The Buttermarket was the county's prime evening music venue but also held events for children and older people. He said the venue was home to one of the country's only Wurlitzer organs.

Mr Wycherley said: "I think the town has to wake up and realise what we have got here which is one of the jewels in the crown in the world not just in Shropshire."

Meanwhile, X-Factor stars JLS could soon be appearing at the club after Mr Wycherley said he wanted to provide a treat for teenagers who missed out on a party after its water supply was shut off.

Mr Wycherley said he was in negotiations with representatives of the group – finalists of the hit ITV1 show – in a bid to bring them to the county.

He said he was devastated after some youngsters who were due to attend the Nitro party at the club last month were left unable to go after the venue was switched to Telford.

By Russell Roberts