G-A-Y Late announces closure “with great sadness”

nme.com:

A post shared by G-A-Y & Heaven Nightclub (@heavenlgbtclub)Joseph went on to say that running the venue had come “at a great cost to my own mental health,” saying: “It is simply not possible to run G-A-Y Late in its current location.”On a positive note, Joseph also announced he had submitted plans to increase Heaven’s capacity to make up for G-A-Y’s loss, as well as making it wheelchair accessible.

He closed by thanking customers and staff for making the bar “one of the most successful LGBT venues in the UK. This is something I’m very proud of & something that can never be taken away.”The announcement is part of an increasing number of venue closures in the UK; a recent study claimed that 35 independent nightlife businesses are lost each week.Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, has addressed the closure of G-A-Y Late, calling it “a profound loss for the LGBTQ community in the capital, as the venue has been a vital and cherished space for years.”“The closure of G-A-Y Late underscores the fragility of businesses within the nightlife sector across the UK,” the statement continues. “This industry, which plays a crucial role in fostering diversity, inclusivity, and cultural expression, faces unprecedented challenges.