UK’s gayest street had ‘worst Pride ever’ after it was ‘stifled by council’

Pride on Britain’s gayest street was the ‘worst one yet’ as businesses fight against Westminster Council to attract punters.

The annual LGBTQ+ celebration is usually ‘bigger and better than New Year’s Eve’ on Old Compton Street in Soho, which has historically been a landmark for UK’s gay scene.

But over the years, residents’ groups and over-regulation have chipped away at the area’s nightlife. This year’s event still saw

Eran Tibi, owner of Kapara which is just off Old Compton Street, told Metro:

‘Historically, Pride yields three to four times our standard weekend revenue, making it bigger than New Year’s Eve for many of us.

‘Unless you were positioned directly in front of one of the six stages, Soho felt empty compared to previous years.’

The chef opened up Kapara three years ago, which he said was an ’emotional’ moment as the area ‘blew his mind’ as a gay man who had just moved to London to train 20 years before.

But when trying to run his own event in 2023 he was met with significant knockbacks, including being told to unplug speakers.

He said: ‘I paid for a complicated license to stay open later, I built a stage and booked a DJ. But someone from licencing turned up and asked to tone it down.

‘I have tried to push through something similar every year. I am jumping through all of their hoops, but there’s clearly no point.’

Soho losing its queer identity is nothing new. Owner of iconic G-A-Y Bar Jeremy Joseph decided to shut his venue for good in October, saying the area had ‘lost its vibrancy’.

‘When I opened the Old Compton venue, it was the gayest street in London, but now it has lost its identity,’ the 58-year-old told Metro, adding that he no longer feels safe enough to hold another man’s hand in the area.

‘During 2024’s Pride month, I looked at other businesses and a third couldn’t even be bothered to put a Pride flag out.’

Coven, which took over G-A-Y Bar, celebrated their first Pride weekend in their venue. Owner Matthew Jacobs Morgan said he used to come to Pride in Soho as a punter, but stopped a few years ago as it began to feel increasingly ‘sanitized’

This year was his first time in Soho as a venue owner, and although they had queues out the door, it was only because of the temporary license he obtained, which incentivised people to stay.

He said: ‘It was great we were busy, but it came with a lot of conditions. I had to pay for 10 security staff when the average for this building is four.

‘I am asking for a permanent license extension but it feels like they are already saying no before I have made my case.’

Young people are also starting to look elsewhere to celebrate Pride. Venues in other boroughs such as Camden and Hackney are often open later and feel ‘more authentic’, according to waiter Calum Lees.

The 22-year-old works for Soho restaurant Vaco and Piero’s Pavilion, which, according to owner Paul ‘did not do well’ over Pride.

Calum said: ‘It can feel highly commercialised around here. A lot of my friends are going to Dalston now which is sad, because Soho is meant to be the traditional center.’

But, frustratingly, all of the problems that have led to the decline can be reversed.

The restaurant general manager Ava Wesson said if more streets blocked vehicles beyond the parade route, venues would be able to offer al fresco dining.

‘Young people want to be outside,’ the 28-year-old said. ‘Pride here used to be much more free-flowing, with people milling about on the streets. Now you have to sit inside and get tables due to restrictions, which simply does not appeal.’

Councillor Tim Barnes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, said: It’s estimated more than a million people descended on central London for Pride this year, and Soho was once again packed shoulder to shoulder with people celebrating well into the early hours.

‘The council is hugely supportive of this wonderful event and the hospitality businesses that make Soho special. We granted hundreds of temporary event notices this weekend, allowing pubs, bars and restaurants to stay open later to support our hospitality industry.

‘Our Pride Market on Rupert Street and the large, licensed Pride in London event area were supported by many local venues, helping create a fantastic atmosphere for Pride. Together with BST in Hyde Park, extended opening hours for the World Cup, and other events across the city, they contributed to one of the busiest days of the year in Westminster.’

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