London gay pub the Richmond Arms to close
The Richmond Arms in London is set to close this month, as the company which owns it has gone into administration.
The south west London pub’s closure was made as an announcement on Facebook.
It is the latest in a spate of gay pubs and bars to close across the British capital.
The post attributed the closure to the fact that its owner, TCG, went into administration in October 2015.
“To all our dearest customers
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that we will be closing ours doors for good on Saturday 23rd of April 2016.
“As some of you will know since our owners TCG went into administration in October last year they have been looking to find a new owner for us. Unfortunately this has not happened due to the landlord not willing to extent the lease, so the Richmond Arms will close and not re open in any form.
The statement continued: “This place is so close to many of us, we have laughed and cried here together for over 30 years. We will all miss this wonderful place in a different way. To thank you all for being loyal customers over the years would be wrong as that is not what you were to us. You are our family here and you are the reason this pub is as great as it is. we have all put our hearts and souls into here on more than one occasion and made is somewhere different and safe to come that will never be forgotten. Many memories and relationships, good ideas bad ideas have started here we have seen many wonderful moments in life and lots of the fuck ups but we have always been here for each other to support and care for each other and I hope we will continue after we have lost our dear friend.”
“I would personally like to thank you all for letting me be a part of this special place and wish everyone the best for the future.
“With lots of love from all the staff at the Richmond Arms”.
East London gay pub the George and Dragon pub in November became the latest to close its doors.
The Shoreditch pub opened in 2002, and has been at the heart of London’s gay community for over a decade as a pub, drag venue and art space.
Madame JoJo’s and the Green Carnation both shut their doors, while the Yard Bar staved off plans for redevelopment.
London’s oldest gay pub the Black Cap closed its doors in April after a battle over a proposed redevelopment which lasted several months.
After plans were revealed to turn the pub into a cafe, squatters occupied the site – and continue to fight for it to re-open.
