G-A-Y on Old Compton Street is shuttering due to issues with rent and the area ‘losing its identity’ (Picture: Jamie Thistlethwaite/Getty Images)
An iconic LGBT club is closing in London in another blow to the city’s dying nightlife.
G-A-Y Bar on Old Compton Street is shuttering due to issues with rent and the area ‘losing its identity’.
The last day the bar will be fully open is Saturday, with the venue remaining partially closing on Sunday.
Owner Jeremy Joseph told Metro he no longer feels safe walking down the street, making his decision to close G-A-Y Bar and keep Heaven open ‘a lot easier’.
He said: ‘When I opened the Old Compton venue, it was the gayest street in London, but now it has lost its identity.
‘This weekend half of Old Compton street was closed because there was a crime scene up. Most of the pride flags have been taken down, it’s really sad to see.’
Issues with landlords ArchCo trying to raise the rent for the Heaven site meant the owner had to choose to keep one of them open.
Despite G-A-Y Bar quite literally being his home as he lives upstairs, Jeremy chose to keep Heaven open.
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He told Metro: ‘It’s better to protect one venue that’s got more history than another which is in an area I cannot see improving.
‘We were forced to make this decision. We underwent arbitration with ArchCo which was nearly two years of hell.
‘But we didn’t let them bully us – we have come out the other side. I will say this to all business owners – never let your landlords bully you.’
Londoners have been left feeling upset at the news, with concern the centre of the capital is losing its queer spaces.
There are concerns Old Compton Street is no longer safe (Picture: Getty Images)
Londoner James Taylor, 27, told Metro: ‘It is very sad to see G-A-Y bar closing; it was one of the first gay venues I went to. It was a safe space to catch up with friends where everyone is welcome.
‘We lost G-A-Y club a few years ago and now we have lost another piece of London’s LGBT+ scene. If nothing is done to guard the future of the LGBT+ spaces, we may soon have none left.’
The Old Compton Street venue also had more challenges with Soho nimbys trying to block ‘everything that makes the area vibrant’.
He said: ‘I did consider extending G-A-Y Bar’s license to 3am after we lost G-A-Y Late but what’s the point when I know Soho Society will object, police licensing will object, EHO will object.
‘It’s a constant uphill battle and another fight in the face of a cost of living crisis which has negatively impacted nearly all of the hospitality sector.
‘It doesn’t feel like anyone with power cares about hospitality and it definitely doesn’t feel like they care about LGBT venues.’
It comes after a Heaven nightclub security guard was cleared of raping a 19-year-old woman in his car during a shift at the venue, forcing the venue to temporarily close.
It is not the first venue Jeremy has been forced to close – G-A-Y Late closed in November 2023 after keeping it open became a ‘losing battle’.
Jeremy said in a statement: ‘Sadly it’s time to say goodbye to G-A-Y Bar.
‘I cannot put into words the anxiety and stress that I’ve been put through these last 23 months.’
It is not just Jeremy who is worried for the street’s future.
Gary Henshaw, who owns Ku Bar and She, central London’s only lesbian bar, said he has been tempted to leave Old Compton Street due to how difficult it is to stay afloat.
His application Gary Henshaw, who owns Ku Bar and She, central London’s only lesbian bar, said he has been tempted to leave Old Compton Street due to how difficult it is to stay afloat.
Gary added: ‘I still believe Old Compton Street is at the heart of London’s LGBTQ+ scene, but we are facing challenges businesses in Camden and Hackney don’t.’
This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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