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From the
https://www.telegraph.co.uk 6 Jan 2010.
Canterbury's only gay bar closes.
A gay bar in Canterbury which was set up after complaints that the
homosexual community was not being represented has been forced to closed
because of lack of business.
Last May gay campaign group Pride condemned the Kent city saying it was
a 'cultural wilderness' for not having one single gay bar and of being
'unwelcoming.'
The organisation even made a formal complaint against the council to the
Local Government Ombudsman accusing it of 'not being gay enough'.
Two months after the complaint the city's first gay bar, called CO2, was
opened by landlord Darren Bister. But now, just six months on, the bar
is closing because of lack of business - proving the city is 'not gay
enough'.
"We are closing because it is just not very successful at the moment,"
said Mr Blister.
"It's a waste of time, a waste of our work and a waste of money.
"We've not had the support from the community we thought we would get,
so it's time to shut the doors - we've had enough."
He added: "It's a lost cause. Being gay in Canterbury is no-go."
He said other bars he owned in other areas of Kent would remain open,
but said of Canterbury: "We'll not be opening another bar in Canterbury
again."
Pride spokesman Andrew Bretell said the city's 'anti-gay brigade' would
be celebrating.
He said: "Until the council sends out a clear signal that it's all right
for the gay community to be out and proud in the city, businesses and
ventures that strive to serve and build up that community will find it
difficult to succeed.
"The homophobes must be celebrating."
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