An iconic LGBT club is closing in London in another blow to the city’s dying nightlife.
G-A-Y on Old Compton Street is shuttering due to issues with rent and the area ‘losing its identity’.
Owner Jeremy Joseph previously told Metro: ‘When I opened the Old Compton venue, it was the gayest street in London, but now it has lost its identity.
‘During last year’s Pride month, I looked at other businesses and a third couldn’t even be bothered to put a Pride flag out.’
Issues with landlords and rent appears to have been the final nail in the coffin for the bar.
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.’
A rent review has been underway for Heaven and has increased, meaning G-A-Y needs to close so the future can be ‘focused on Heaven’.
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Jeremy said: ‘We knew the date for Heaven’s rent review, we asked the landlord, ArchCo, to start the process a month before the review date but they waited until the date itself to serve notice that gave us no time to agree or budget before an increase took effect.’
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.
Jeremy announced the venue will be going on sale in January, mentioning Nimbys were preventing the area from becoming 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, Old Compton Street has lost its queer identity.’
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’.
G-A-Y Bar spans across three floors and remains open until 1am.
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