Legendary LGBTQ+ venue G-A-Y situated in Soho, London, has gone up for sale, the owner announced in a statement. The move follows the financial impact of the temporary closure of sister venue Heaven back in November 2024, after one of its bouncers was accused of rape by a patron.

Situated at 30 Old Compton Street, G-A-Y Bar has gone up for sale, listed for annual rent of £410,000. Jeremy Joseph, who owns the bar as well as LGBTQ+ nightclub Heaven, announced the news on social media, calling it a “tough decision”.

“This isn’t an easy decision, to me this is more than just a bar, it’s also my home, I’ve lived above it for over 15 years, but it’s now time to make some changes,” he wrote.

Among the reasons behind the decision, Joseph cited financial strains due to the temporary closure of his other venue, Heaven, after one of its security guards was charged with rape and “serious concerns” were raised about the venue’s ability to protect its patrons.

Following a Westminster Council licence hearing, Heaven reopened last December after new security measures and stricter conditions were put in place at the venue. However, the brief closure allegedly had a significant impact on its sister venue.

 

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

 

Un post condiviso da Jeremy Joseph (@jeremy_joseph)

“I was clear to Westminster CC’s Licensing committee that if they closed Heaven for even a short time it would potentially put G-A-Y Bar at risk financially,” Joseph said in the statement. “Even now after Heaven’s reopening, the damage financially and mentally has been irreparable.”

Another one of Joseph’s London venues, queer bar G-A-Y Late, closed its doors in 2023 following a series of alleged attacks against staff and customers leaving the premises at night. The owner explained that, after that closure, he had planned to apply for a late licence for G-A-Y Bar but ultimately decided against it.

“It’s a constant uphill battle and another fight in the cost of living crisis which has negatively impacted all of the hospitality sector,” he stated. “It doesn’t feel like anyone with power cares about hospitality and it definitely doesn’t feel like they care about LGBT venues.”

He went on to say that “Soho has lost its vibrancy”, adding: “When I started G-A-Y it was always about having a venue on Old Compton Street & Canal Street, being the gayest streets in the gayest capitals.

“But its not like that anymore & the reason I write this is because my goal would be for G-A-Y Bar to remain an LGBT venue & will consider franchise options, but my guts is that in the current climate, and it won’t be because Old Compton Street is not the same anymore, it has a new identity & when you look down the street, you see restaurants, cafes, take aways but the street that was the LGBT capital, is no more.”

Commenting on his decision to put G-A-Y Bar up for sale, he concluded: “I’m sad, but also relieved because I’m making the changes I need to find peace of mind.”

Commenting on the statement, a Met Police spokesperson said: “We work in partnership and as a community with local venues, residents and partners to understand the impact and issues at night. We will always try to support venues as best we can to prevent and deter crime.

“We will continue to work together with all venues that form part of the night time economy in Westminster, including whoever takes over G-A-Y, to improve night-time safety for those who live, work and visit the borough.”