The Westgate in Gloucestershire has served its last pint as the number of LGBT venues across the country gradually gets smaller and smaller.
A number of gay venues up and down the country have closed their doors for the final time and the only venue in the county of Gloucester, The Westgate has suffered a similar fate. The pub had made an appeal to its regulars for £25,000 to stay afloat, however its landlord, John Huggings, made a ‘sudden decision’ to pull the last pint, according to Enterprise Inns, the owner of the bar.
The Gloucester Citzen reports that Drag Queen Baronness Peaches Tart said,
“This means the county no longer has a safe place for the LGBT community.
“We have a transgender community and young people coming out with no focal point for information, support or a place to meet new friends that feel the same.
“Everyone was welcome at The Westgate so long as they didn’t cause problems. Now we have nowhere to showcase what our gay community is all about.”
An Enterprise spokesman said:
“Unfortunately our venue the Westgate Hotel has closed due to the Publican’s sudden decision to cease trading.
“However, we would like to reassure customers of this popular pub that we aim to have it back open and trading at the heart of Gloucester as soon as possible.”
A number of gay venues up and down the country have closed their doors for the final time and the only venue in the county of Gloucester; The Westgate has suffered a similar fate. The pub had made an appeal to its regulars for £25,000 to stay afloat, however its landlord, John Huggins, made a ‘sudden decision’ to pull the last pint, according to Enterprise Inns, the owner of the bar.
The Gloucester Citizen reports that Drag Queen Baroness Peaches Tart said, “This means the county no longer has a safe place for the LGBT community.
“We have a transgender community and young people coming out with no focal point for information, support or a place to meet new friends that feel the same.
“Everyone was welcome at The Westgate so long as they didn’t cause problems. Now we have nowhere to showcase what our gay community is all about.”
An Enterprise spokesman said:
“Unfortunately our venue the Westgate Hotel has closed due to the Publican’s sudden decision to cease trading.
“However, we would like to reassure customers of this popular pub that we aim to have it back open and trading at the heart of Gloucester as soon as possible.”
This year a number of gay spaces have already closed down including, ManBar, The Green Carnation and Popstarz the alternative club night in London
