A PETITION has been launched to save the Earls Court exhibition centres from being demolished as part of the proposed redevelopment of the area.

The campaign is being pushed by the entertainment industry, with magazines such as Music Week offering support, and is urging the government to call in the decision to sell off and bulldoze the historic entertainment venues.

Already under pressure from residents on the threatened Gibbs Green and West Kensington estates – which are also earmarked to go in the scheme – the government is now being told the loss of the centres will have a major impact on London’s entertainment scene.

Labour London Assembly planning spokeswoman Nicky Gavron said: “Losing Earls Court would be a huge setback for the London and UK economy. Earls Court brings in £1bn a year, provides a shop window for UK industries and sustains thousands of long-term jobs in the local area.

“This economic benefit cannot and will not be replaced by a one-off construction project. There is no evidence London needs less exhibition space. Britain’s competitors are currently expanding their own capacity because they understand the economic benefits these centres create.”

Secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, will make a decision on whether to call in the scheme in the next two months.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council says the development will bring thousands of new jobs to the area as well as 8,000 new homes, and called the plans a huge opportunity and the biggest construction project in Europe.

Earls Court has hosted fewer concerts since the Millennium Dome became the o2 Arena, while other nearby venues include Hammersmith Apollo and Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Olympia is another well-used exhibition space.

The original exhibition centre, an Art Deco building, opened in 1937 and has hosted industry fairs, motor shows and other exhibitions.

The 19,000-capacity arena has also proved a massive draw for musicians, hosting acts including Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, U2, Oasis and Madonna. Its sister venue, Earls Court 2, was opened by Princess Diana in 1991.

The centres bring up to £1billion a year to the local economy, attracting 2.5 million visitors and 30,000 exhibitors to west London, and there are fears that the proposals will mean losing those people and therefore cause financial harm.