Leicester may get a gay village

The city of Leicester may soon have its own gay village if a nightclub entrepreneur’s plans are successful.

Businessman Paul Giles, who currently owns two venues, Quebec and The Village, in Belgrave Gate, says he is in talks with owners of four more clubs in the area.

He also hopes that gay people in the area become interested in buying shares in gay businesses so they would have a “sense of ownership over the area”.

Mr Giles told the Leicester Mercury: “The plan is still very much in the pipeline but it would be fantastic to have a gay district in Leicester.

“Most other cities have one and it’s about time we did, too.

“It brings in people from out of town and is great for the city’s economy.

“It also promotes safety if there’s an area of city which is completely gay-friendly.”

Ian Robson, director of Leicester’s LGBT Centre, welcomed Mr Giles’ plans.

He said: “Giving LGBT people more choice in where they socialise can only be a good thing.

“If we look at cities like Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham and London, we see that the city as a whole has greatly benefited by these gay villages with a huge increase in tourism which benefits all business in that area.”