Philip Hayes founded the Picket and Pinball recording studio in the 1980's at the Merseyside Unemployed Centre.
The venue established itself as one of the best places for emerging talent to perform in the city, featuring early performances by:
The La's, The Farm, Happy Mondays, Cast, Space and The Coral.

The venue has also hosted performances by internationally renowned artistes including:
Baaba Maal, Thomas Mapfumo, Neil Finn from Crowded House and Billy Bragg.

Many famous musicians donated equipment to support the Picket including:
Yoko Ono, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Oasis, Paul Weller, Suggs from Madness, Peter Gabriel, New Order, Travis, Joe Strummer of the Clash and Pete Townshend of The Who.

The Venue closed at its premises in Liverpool’s Hardman Street in 2004.

After a public a campaign, the support of Liverpool City Council, Jayne Casey, the people of Liverpool and beyond plus a series of 'Save the Picket' gigs, it re-opened in the Independent District/Baltic Triangle of Liverpool.

The opening event at the new premises saw the legendary Liverpool Art School band Deaf School reform and appear to a sell out audience on 27th May 2006.

Since opening the Venue has presented Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Joss Stone, Billy Bragg, The Wombats, RZA from Wu Tang Clan, Ladytron, The Rascals, Damien Dempsey, Ian McNabb, John Peel Memorial Concerts, 'Fuse' and 'Bassline29' Dry Bar gigs for Liverpool's young musicians and bands, and events by Circus, Chibuku Carnival and Quadrant Park DJ's, .

The Picket regularly promotes benefit concerts for local and national community organisations to assist with fundraising and awareness.