Inspiralling towards the end

But their gig on December 6 is ahead of three other big nights before the venue shuts for good.

The Fylde Road base will cease to be a ‘high street’ live music and student entertainment venue after December 31 this year.

The venue, which is run by UCLan’s Students’ Union, has seen big names take to the stage since it opened in 2005 but the union says “trends in students’ usage of 53 Degrees have declined considerably”.

So the countdown has begun, but Dark-Cide favourites Combichrist, on December 10, aren’t exactly a party soundtrack.

Katherine Ryan arrives on December 12 with her critically-acclaimed show Glam Role Model.

To the Canadian’s amusement, women exposing their breasts has the title ‘glamour modelling’.

As an ex-Hooters employee, she takes a look at the murky world of the beauty industry and examines the role of models who provide its bread and butter.

Funny, and serious, but hardly a send-off.

The Bad Manners Christmas Party, on the other hand, will be a proper knees up on December 13.

But the last band to ever play 53 Degrees will be, er, the Inspiral Carpets.

With the return of original singer Stephen Holt in 2011 and a first studio album in 20 years, which will boast both singles plus 10 new compositions the Madchester favourites look set to go down in Preston’s cultural legacy.

Guitarist Graham Lambert said: “It’s been a breath of fresh air creating new songs with Stephen – his input has given us a fresh impetus.

“There was no sane logic why we didn’t do it a decade ago.

“Getting home from rehearsals and playing back a new song in the middle of the night is such a thrill.”

The band’s new album – which will be entitled simply Inspiral Carpets – is scheduled for this September.

As a precursor to this, Cherry Red Records also recently reissued the Inspirals’ legendary demo tape, Dung 4, considered by Inspirals’ keyboardist and XFM DJ extraordinaire Clint Boon to be the band’s debut proper.

It features all 11 original tracks remastered, with a bonus 7” EP of earlier four-track demo Cow’ (1987).

A 53 Degrees source said: “There are a few reasons to show some love to this show.

“1) The Inspirals keyboard player is XFM DJ Clint Boon, who always brings in a great crowd when he DJs here.

“2) Inspiral Carpets are about to put out their first studio album in two decades, and I hear it’s a blinder.

“3) If plans to close 53 Degrees go ahead, this could well be our last proper gig!”