THEGAYUK

Tag: Camden News

Get the latest LGBT+ Camden news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Camden in London, UK.

  • Iconic LGBT Pub The Black Cap Could Reopen—Because Fabulous Never Truly Dies

    The Black Cap, one of Camden’s most iconic LGBT venues, has been closed for years, but there are fresh whispers of a fabulous comeback.

    Victory in Sight: The Black Cap’s Comeback is More Fabulous Than Ever!

    It’s been a decade-long saga, but victory is finally within reach for campaigners who’ve fought tooth and nail to revive Camden’s legendary LGBTQ+ pub and cabaret venue, The Black Cap. Plans have been submitted for a revamped venue that promises all the glitz and glam we’ve been waiting for—and then some.

    What’s the Plan?
    The new proposal, lodged at Camden Town Hall, outlines a vision for a refreshed LGBTQ+ bar, cabaret performance space, and even a bed and breakfast. (Yes, now you can sleep where the magic happens!)

    The pub, which closed in 2015, has been at the heart of a nine-year campaign—complete with weekly vigils on the pavement. Imagine dedicated locals standing guard, rain or shine, determined to bring back their beloved boozer. Now that’s commitment!

    The Black Cap’s Legacy of Fabulousness
    For over six decades, The Black Cap’s stage was the place to be for cabaret acts. Even the legendary Paul O’Grady honed his iconic Lily Savage act there and was a longtime supporter of the campaign to reopen. (Paul’s wig probably still haunts the place in spirit.)

    Performer and activist Alex Green couldn’t be more thrilled. “Finally, we can say we’re optimistic, and the owners are really excited,” he said. “It’s been a massive win to have everyone sitting around the table with the same goal—to get The Black Cap back the way it should be.”

    Green reminisced about the pub’s unique vibe. “It felt like a social club—a place for birthdays, weddings, funerals, New Year’s Eve. It was the least pretentious gay pub in the world. You could even invite non-LGBTQ friends, and they’d feel welcome.”

    The Grand (and Fabulous) Comeback
    According to the plans, regulars will feel right at home with a few improvements:

    • Upper floors: Staff quarters and B&B-style rooms so cabaret stars can stay the night. (No more schlepping back in full drag at 2 a.m.!)
    • Ground floor: A revamped performance space with new staging, décor, toilets, and dressing rooms.
    • First floor: The bar named after legendary cabaret star Mrs. Shufflewick will stay, with access to a sun terrace for those glamorous post-show drinks. There’ll even be a kitchen for proper pub grub.

    Jamie Johnston, who’s kept the weekly vigil going for nine years, is cautiously optimistic. “It’s a positive development, and I hope the plans get a good public response.”

    A Decade in the Making
    The pub originally closed after previous owners Kicking Horse failed to win permission to build flats above the venue. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Camden’s LGBTQ+ community and local supporters, The Black Cap is now poised for a dazzling revival.

    So, dust off your sequins and shine those shoes—The Black Cap is ready to be fabulous once again!

  • These might be London’s LGBT+ friendly places for flatmates

    These might be London’s LGBT+ friendly places for flatmates

    A study which identified LGBT+ friendly flat listings has shown that there is one particular borough in London, which stood above all others as the most progressive if you’re looking to move into an accepting household.

    A new study by CIA Landlord has identified the most desired roommate traits in London by analysing the most popular adverts by age, gender, job title and even preferences including LGBT friendly, smoker friendly and pet friendly, and it turns out that some of London’s most ethnically diverse boroughs are also, seemingly, the most accepting of LGBT+ people.

    With remote working taking over the capital, finding the perfect flatmate has never been more crucial – after all, you’re likely to be spending 24/7 with them whilst working from home.

    For LGBT+ people, finding flatmates who totally and completely support your sexuality and/or gender identity is especially important. Analysing SpareRoom data, CIA Landlord has revealed the most LGBT+ friendly boroughs to live in.

    Take a look at the top 10 boroughs with the most LGBT friendly flatmates below:

    RankLondon BoroughLGBT+ Friendly House Listings
    1Waltham Forest59
    2Lambeth49
    3Hackney48
    4Southwark30
    5Islington25
    6Newham24
    7Tower Hamlets16
    8Camden10
    9Westminster9
    10
    		Greenwich8

    At just a short 30 minute journey into central London, Waltham Forest has been dubbed the most LGBT+ friendly borough for roommates, with over 17.56% of all LGBT+ room wanted listings in London based in the area. Lambeth follows in second, which unveiled the UK’s very first permanent Rainbow crossing in 2019 and the borough’s various involvements in supporting the community stays true to its citizens – with over 14.58% of all of London’s LGBT+ house listings featured in the area.

    Where isn’t so LGBT+ Friendly?

    The least friendly boroughs, according to the study included, Richmond Upon Thames, Havering, Bexley, Hillingdon and Barnet – which offered no explicitly LGBT+ friendly listings.

    RankLondon BoroughLGBT+ Friendly House Listings
    1Richmond Upon Thames0
    2Havering0
    3Bexley0
    4Hillingdon0
    5Barnet0
    6Enfield1
    7Hounslow1
    8Kingston Upon Thames1
    9Brent2
    10
    		Sutton2

    Enfield, Hounslow and Kingston Upon Thames each offered one listing, while, Brent and Sutton had two listings available.

    How did the researchers come to their findings?

    To find the most desired and least desired roommate traits, CIA Landlord analysed SpareRoom data to reveal the most commonly advertised professions, ages and preferences throughout London.

    Job titles have been searched as keywords exactly as listed into SpareRoom. This may result in the exclusion of keyword listings where the title was similar but not the same due to the functionality of the source’s search.

    Each option point has been treated individually. Where data has been combined to show the “worst” combination of traits, this has been done on an index basis rather than using each as an individual search.

    e.g. No searches have been performed for homes that are “LGBT friendly with pets and smokers allowed”. Instead, individual searches have been performed for LGBT, pets, and smokers, and these combined into a single index to show the least desirable combination.

  • Man stabbed in Soho has “life threatening” injuries

    Man stabbed in Soho has “life threatening” injuries

    A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with two linked stabbing on Sunday, 3 March.

    geralt / Pixabay

    Police are linking two stabbings in the nation’s capital today after one man was left with “life threatening” injuries” in Soho and a boy, 16, was stabbed in Camden, just hours apart.

    Police were called just after 6:00 AM on Sunday, 3 March, to a seriously injured man in Romilly Street, W1.

    Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found the 37-year-old man suffering stab injuries. He was taken to hospital where his condition is being treated as life-threatening.

    An immediate investigation was launched by detectives from Central West CID.

    A woman, aged in her 40s was arrested near to the scene. She has been taken to a central London police station where she remains in custody.

    A crime scene was put in place, forensic work commenced and enquiries undertaken to identify any relevant witnesses or CCTV.

    Another male stabbed, Camden

    Later that morning, at 11:36hrs, police in Camden were called to a teenager stabbed in University Street, WC1.

    Emergency services attended the scene where the 16-year-old victim was taken to hospital. His wounds have also been assessed as life-threatening.

    A man, aged in his 30s was arrested near to the scene in connection with the Camden stabbing. He was further arrested a short time later on suspicion of attempted murder in Romilly Street, which is the heart of London’s LGBT Scene.

    The arrested man has been taken to hospital having told officers that he had swallowed a quantity of drugs. Police are awaiting an assessment of his condition.

    Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of both incidents.

    Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police should call detectives via 101 quoting reference 1783/mar03. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    At this stage, nobody else is sought in connection with either of these incidents.

    There is nothing to suggest that these crimes are related to homophobia at this time.

  • Three years after its closure, The Black Cap still stands empty, unused

    It’s “an insult to the people of Camden and the LGBTQ+ community”

    What happened to the Black Cap
    Three years after its closure, The Black Cap still stands empty, unused

    Three years after one of the UK’s longest standing gay pubs, The Black Cap stands empty, still boarded up and unused. For over 60 years members of the LGBT+ community called the beautiful and historic building in Candem their safe space, that was until it was closed, almost without notice three years ago. The building lies empty and is covered with graffiti.

    Now campaigners are demanding change.

    Alex Green, #WeAreTheBlackCap spokesperson said, “We stand firm, despite the continued frustration of trying to work with the owners to get the legendary and important LGBTQ+ performance venue and stop the Black Cap becoming yet another sterile, overpriced food outlet and unaffordable flats. The continued closure of this flagship LGBTQ+ venue is very bad for the Borough of Camden’s reputation as a leader in terms of diversity, arts and culture.”

    Campaigners are planning a 3rd anniversary protest outside the landmark venue on the 14th April from 2 PM.

    #WeAreTheBlackCap CAMPAIGN 3rd ANNIVERSARY PROTEST 14th April 2018, 2-4pm. Outside The Black Cap, 171 Camden High Street, CAMDEN TOWN, LONDON.

    14th April scheduling is:

    1.30: Welcome and thanks/messages of support
    2pm: Media interviews (at the right side nr Boots for this)
    2pm; Black Cap Campaign ‘singers’ – Outside and other campaign classics
    2.30 Speakers – Will update on campaign and call to action for next steps
    3pm Followed by more singing out

    The campaign’s focus now is to finally restore the Black Cap to its place at the heart of Camden’s diverse and exciting cultural economy.

     

    1. Bring the actual pub mortgage lenders to the negotiating table, while also renewing our engagement with Camden Council and City Hall
    2. Building a consortium of community and business partners who will push to take over the pub for the Camden and the LGBTQ+ community.
    3. Continue to protest and campaign until the pub is reopened as a LGBTQ+ performance venue:
    • This Saturday 14th April, 2-4pm, as we still can’t perform inside, singers and supporters will perform songs and tributes to celebrate the past and future of the legendary Black Cap which has been a cultural home to LGBTQ+ community and its allies for 60 years.
    • Regular Saturday protest vigils will continue with the new campaign theme, ‘I am the Black Cap’ – to highlight the many reasons why people all over London and the world love the Black Cap and want it back
    • 2nd May we are staging a fabulous night of LGBTQ+ cabaret at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to show what a night at a resurrected Black Cap could be like (details: http://www.vauxhalltavern.com/events/event/not-another-night-at-the-cap/?oid=1930).

  • London’s Most Gay Friendly Neighbourhoods Revealed

    Vauxhall, Camden and Dalston have been revealed as the most gay friendly neigbourhoods in London.

    (more…)

  • New Gay Night Starts In North London As Bump Starts Up Again

    Bump is back and has moved from its Leicester Square starting place to North London’s newest gay bar Bloc Bar.

    Launching this autumn, club night Bump is being revived in Camden. Chris Amos, who formely owned Manbar, launched BUMP in Leicester Square early 2014 to much acclaim and buzz but unfortunately the building was shut down for a regeneration project. So it is with much excitement the team is back together, this includes DJs Gretta Gargola, Ale Amaral and Wesley Marilio.
    Promoter Chris Amos explains why he is bringing this sexy party back: “There has been a lot of discussion about London’s gay scene eroding, with chemsex parties, dating apps and venue closures. But to be honest I think there has been a lack of inspiration in putting parties on too. Nights like Brut and Bang are proof there is still an appetite for fun parties in London. After seeing Bloc Bar, I knew straight away this is somewhere the scene is going to love to party. So it made sense to bring BUMP back to this venue. Plus the circuit party music vibe we have going on will make BUMP stand out from other nights. See you there!”

    BUMP IS BACKVenue: BLOC BAR, 18 Kentish Town Road, NW1 9NX London

    When: Saturday 14th November 2015 >>> 9pm to 3am

    Entry Price: £8 / £5 concession list

    Circuit party vibes. BUMP is back at Bloc Bar in Camden on Saturday 14th November 2015. Disc jocks Ale Amaral, Gretta Gargola & Wesley Marilio are bringing the best of Brazilian and Spanish tribal sounds to the yard. Plus London’s friendly door hosts naturally… JJ Clark & Cain Jennings! Get on the concession guest list by RSVPing at the Facebook event.