COMMENT - Lancaster's only gay bar calls time - Offers required

'Drink the Bar Dry' at The Albert Inn, King Street, Lancaster - Saturday 30 August 2003

This week marks a sad occasion for the local Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual community. Ugh, what a mouthful - and that's without the ubiquitous "transgendered" and the rest. Why can't we all just be plain 'gay' again?

Gay venue closes doors
But I shouldn't be complaining about that right now. Far more serious is the closure of The Albert Inn on King Street, Lancaster, as from this weekend. It has only been open under its present management since February of this year, though I gather that before it had seen 'mixed fortunes' under a number of managements. It is only in the last couple of years that the gay-friendly Navigation, by the Canal and near The Albert, closed down. I have heard dark tales and conspiracy theories about the 'closure' of that pub and the subsequent 'use' of the land … but that's another story.

See Paris and die?
The gorgeous Bosie O'Bare and I have always enjoyed ourselves there. However, The Albert has raised a number of eyebrows - or more particularly Paris, their DJ, has. Some I have spoken to cannot abide his (her?) manner and acerbic wit, but others have found the whole experience a riot. "I wanted to know where she got that gorgeous [rainbow-sequined] frock from", said someone - who thoroughly enjoys going there - this afternoon. We have never had any problems with Paris, and indeed have seen and heard much 'worse', if you like, elsewhere! You just can't please some people…

New use
The reason for the closure, we have heard, is that the owners of the premises, Thwaites brewery of Blackburn, have wanted to dispose of the property for some time. It seems it is to become an Italian Restaurant, but many wonder "Does Lancaster really need any more of those?"
Dunno about that, but Lancaster certainly does need a gay bar to provide a focal point for the large LGB community hereabouts. The Gregson Community Centre in Moor Lane, has an open and friendly policy towards the whole community, and indeed hosts a regular LGB Social Evening once a month. But it's just not the same thing as a venue which gays can go into any time, be open, relax and meet kindred spirits.

Come and get us! …
What's needed is a local landlord or pub manager who has vision, good manners and the ability to turn a seeming risk into what could become a goldmine - to say "Come and drink in here - you will be welcome". Gays don't always mind paying a little extra on the pint if we know we are going to be safe and well looked after - but not too much of a premium, thank you! There are enough 'entrepreneurs' out there willing to rip the 'Pink Pound' off their gay brothers and sisters.

… We want to spend our money
The LGB community, if treated fairly and with the due respect that is the right of every human being, will over time be very loyal, faithful and regular customers. A (straight) licensee, a motorbike fan I knew elsewhere some years ago was considering buying a run-down city centre pub to rejuvenate it. He asked whether he should make the bikers or the gays welcome in his 'niche' venture. He went for the gays, made them welcome, charged fair (city centre) prices, things boomed rapidly from nothing, and the landlord retired not so long ago having made a very, very tidy sum.

Continuing the City's welcome
So, all you Lancaster publicans, the gauntlet is down. Who will be first to pick up the challenge? Who of you is brave enough - and intelligent enough - to make a positive (and rewarding) choice on behalf of the LGB community in Lancaster and the surrounding area? Round here has long been renowned for tolerance and cultural diversity, and in that context the loss of a major gay venue is a serious blow. It needs sorting. Now.

In the meantime, though, it's green carnations and handbags at sunset on Saturday. See you there!

Copyright © "Oscar O'Lune" 28 August 2003

Oscar and Bosie seek Diva!
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