The Warehouse, which opened in 1972, on St Paul's Place, off Church Street, became a popular alternative music venue but could be razed as part of the £700m Tithebarn development.

Two clubs, PR1 in Church Street and The Venue, in Church Row, will definitely be demolished under the plans and The Warehouse, which once hosted Joy Division and the Stones Roses, could follow.

Elaine Lowe, 44, of Villiers Court, Plungington, has been a regular at the club for the past 20 years and has now launched a petition in a bid to stave off the threat.

Elaine also says she is ready to take direct action to stop the club being demolished.

The Warehouse is on the edge of the development area and no decision has been made, but Elaine said the club's closure would be a huge loss.

She said: "I think it would be a massive loss – there is nowhere else for us to go.

"I have always loved the music. It is our secret place. I always go for occasions and it was my birthday on Thursday, so I went on Saturday.

"Me and my friends have said we are going to chain ourselves to it if they do it. It would break my heart."

The mum-of-four added: "It is a brilliant nightclub – it might be dark and dingy to some, but it cannot be replaced. I love the building and where else can you go to get the music? I love it."

Preston Council has enlisted Birmingham-based property experts Terraquest to do preliminary work which will lead to compulsory purchase orders (CPO) to buy buildings at the heart of the Tithebarn Regeneration Area (HTRA).

The owners of the club are understood to have taken legal advice and will fight any plan to close the club.

Elaine has created an online Facebook petition group, which already has members who would be ready to fight for the club.

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