The closure of two long-running establishments in Brighton has prompted renewed attention on the future of the city’s LGBTQ+ entertainment sector.
Steve Jones, who manages Revenge and recently operated R-Bar until its shutdown last month, addressed Brighton and Hove City Council at Hove Town Hall regarding the decline of venues catering to the community.
R-Bar, situated on Marine Parade, ceased operations after 21 years of trading.
Just seven days later, Charles Street Tap shut its doors following a quarter-century in business.
Jones indicated during the full council session that these were not isolated cases within the LGBTQ+ scene.
Jones recounted arriving in Brighton from Hayling Island 22 years prior, having relocated at the age of 18 to pursue higher education.
He described discovering a city where St James’s Street and adjacent thoroughfares hummed with energy and embraced an unapologetically queer atmosphere.
The landscape has since shifted considerably.
Jones observed that while Brighton continues to trade on its reputation as Britain’s primary LGBTQ+ destination, the nighttime entertainment options available to the community have contracted and grown precarious.
Census data reveals that approximately eleven percent of Brighton’s adult population identifies as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, representing the highest concentration of any local authority nationwide.
Jones stressed that queer culture extends far beyond the annual Pride festivities and forms a fundamental component of the city’s character.
He argued that safeguarding Brighton’s broader nightlife provision carries particular significance for LGBTQ+ venues, which frequently serve as singular spaces where individuals experience safety and authenticity.
The proprietor outlined five strategic objectives for consideration.
The first involved recognising and investing in Brighton’s LGBTQ+ Quarter throughout the year by creating a comprehensive scheme to enhance lighting, cleanliness, and public spaces within the St James’s Street, Marine Parade, and surrounding localities.
The second priority centred on improving safety through expanded CCTV coverage, visible police presence, wardens, and decisive action against anti-social behaviour, street drinking, substance-related offences, and hate-motivated incidents.
The third recommendation called for sustained promotion of Brighton’s LGBTQ+ identity and amenities beyond Pride celebrations, engaging Visit Brighton and partner marketing organisations to maintain visibility throughout all twelve months.
The fourth objective addressed cultivating a licensing framework that supports accountable nightlife and investment while enabling competent operators and innovative enterprises to establish themselves.
The fifth proposal involved protecting established venues and formulating a long-term strategy encompassing the entire nighttime economy from 6pm to 6am, incorporating measures to preserve existing establishments, attract responsible investment, enhance transportation and safety provisions, and bolster activity during midweek periods and off-peak seasons.
Labour councillor David McGregor, responsible for the council’s economy, culture, heritage, and tourism portfolio, acknowledged that constructive measures had already been initiated to bolster the LGBTQ+ economy following discussions involving council representatives, venue operators, and Sussex Police.
He noted that Amanda Evans, chairing the council’s Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, had been conducting evidence-gathering sessions to inform a night-time economy strategy.
McGregor expressed commitment to showcasing, prominently and consistently, the constructive impact of Brighton’s queer scene on the city and its economic vitality.
He also indicated interest in developing mechanisms to commemorate and preserve the history of Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community, viewing this as essential given that such heritage cannot be assumed to maintain its prominence without deliberate effort and recognition of its significance in attracting visitors and residents alike.
As a former chair of the council’s Licensing Committee, McGregor noted that local policies had undergone modifications, with one explicit aim being to encourage what he described as competent operators to invest and operate within the city.