HUDDERSFIELD’S famous Beaumont Street Studios has gone bust, the Examiner can exclusively reveal.

Insolvency specialists have been called in to deal with the community music centre and radio station and a meeting to discuss the winding-up of the company is being called in days.

The news is a huge blow to the town’s musical heritage as the studios have played host to many famous recording artists over its 25-year history.

A former employee, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s a massive loss to the town.

“The studios have helped many young people get into music who would have otherwise not had the opportunity.

“I’m hoping that the recording studios side will at least still remain. A lot of famous people have recorded there so if that facility went it would be massive loss to musicians.”

The company’s affairs are now being handled by London-based insolvency specialist firm SPW Poppleton & Appleby.

A meeting with creditors has been arranged on February 23 in York where an insolvency expert is likely to be appointed.

The Examiner revealed earlier this month that the studios, which has played host to the likes of Brighouse band Embrace, Chumbawamba and Shed Seven, had suddenly closed under mysterious circumstances.

Those connected with the company said staff had not turned up to the Media Centre office on Lord Street for weeks and the main town centre project working with the studios admitted severing its ties with it.

A freelance worker claimed staff had been laid off without notice and he was owed a month’s wages.

A report obtained by the Examiner from a Government register shows the company – listed as having three directors and a secretary – is almost a month late in submitting its accounts.

The employee claimed the company was an ‘unorganised mess’ and had run out of money to pay workers.

He said: “I am disgusted at the way I have been treated. I can’t get hold of anyone to speak to and had to hear through the grapevine that my job no longer exists.”

The Examiner understands that staff at the studio’s main contractor SHAP, based in Market Street, have been told about the organisation’s difficulties.

The company’s phone line appears to have now been disconnected and its website was yesterday no longer working.

A spokeswoman for The Insolvency Service confirmed that details have been published in the London Gazette about the meeting.

She said: “The company is likely to go into liquidation. The meeting will be for the creditors to discuss this and organise to appoint an insolvency practitioner.”

The studios is a Creative Partner of Kirklees Council, which provides the company with much of its funding.

A council spokeswoman said: “They have been one of 12 non-profit distributing arts organisations with paid staff with whom the council has had a funding agreement.

“Since 2007, BSS has received £10,000 per year funding from the council and has successfully delivered a number of projects.

“The trustees of BSS have regularly informed Kirklees Council of the difficulties the business has been facing.

“The council has provided advice and support to help the trustees determine the organisation’s future.

“Once the trustees are in the position to make a public statement, they will do so.”