26-year-old gay club in Portsmouth to close down

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

One of the few gay night clubs in Portsmouth, England, is to close its doors for good on Monday evening.

Martha’s, on Commercial Road in the city, will host its final night on the Bank Holiday. The venue is owned by Stonegate Pub Company.

Nick Hodgson, a student at the University of Portsmouth, told local newspaper, The News: “I go to the club every Monday night and it always gets a big crowd. But I know other nights were really quiet.

“For me this venue was a good package – good audience and cheap drinks,” he added. “The fact a gay bar is closing disturbs the social aspect of Portsmouth for the LGBT community. That’s a big shame, a lot of people are disappointed.”

The venue first opened in 1985.