A POPULAR live music club which has hosted the likes of Procol Harum and Wilko Johnson is moving after more than two decades.

Riga Live Music will leave the Cricketers pub, in London Road, Westcliff, after 21 years and move to O’Neill’s, in Southend High Street, on Thursday, October 2.

Music fans have turned to social media to comment on the end of an era, which has also featured bands such as Squeeze and Nazareth.

Steve Cattermole, 53, who was a member of the collective which started the club in 1993, said it was moving because the new landlord at the Cricketers had decided to drop it.

He said: “It’s a bit of an end of an era for me. I must confess I shed a tear – it’s been 21 years of my life.”

The original eight organisers put in their own cash with the brewery’s to refurbish a side room of the pub as a live music venue, with the backing of publican Fred Spring junior.

But new landlord Graham Ellis, who took over after Mr Spring died last year, has decided not to support the club.

Mr Cattermole, from Westcliff, said: “When it all went pear-shaped at the Cricketers I went down to O’Neill’s and the manager welcomed me with open arms. It’s going to be quite a change, but quite a good one.

“By the comments we’ve had on the website, it’s a very positive move.”

Mr Cattermole, who started the night as a 31-year-old, added: “We’ve had some interesting times and some different bands. We more or less built the place from a derelict block. They said the building was closed because it was falling to pieces.

“We put up the money to refurbish it with the brewery and it has gone on to become quite a brand name. We’ve all got our memories of the place.”

The promoter has reassured fans the night has a bright future, with Willie and the Bandits and Saxon on the billing for October. Landlord Mr Ellis was not available for comment.