The legendary Abbey Road studios may be preserved after all owing to the last minute intervention of a Turkish businessman and entrepreneur.
The studios, where the Beatles recorded the legendary album of the same name are to be sold by owners EMI in order to pay off debts, prompting fears that the building would be demolished in favour of development.
Music fans have united in calls to preserve the iconic building, with many calling for it to become a Beatles museum, with animatronic figures and interactive displays sharing space alongside Beatles memorabilia, but thus far nobody has been able to raise sufficient money.
Cue Turkish businessman Ali Bullo, who has formed a consortium of investors in order to buy the building and convert it into an international fast food mecca. With Beatles music.
"Me dead serious about this," Ali Bullo told us. "Is exciting innit. We buy building, have lots fast food shop. Kebab, burger, fish and chip, noodle, tapas, hot dog, taco, fried chicken, balti, pie n mash, full English, pizza, even frog leg. This way we preserve the building, and all shop operators agree to play Beatles tapes. Is maybe not museum but then museum is so boring. Much better have food. Music no fill hungry belly. Food make more money too."
St John's Wood can hardly wait. Apparently.
More as we get it.