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G-A-Y Bar owner Jeremy Joseph gay he had had to make the "tough decision" after his other venue, Heaven nightclub, was temporarily closed late last year after a member of security staff allegedly raped a woman. He criticised Westminster City Council and the Met Police as well as local residents' groups as being too resistant to measures, such as late licences, which he said would benefit the nightlife industry.

To me it is more than just a bar, it's also my home - I've lived above it for over 15 years," Mr Joseph said in a statement. He added the closure of Heaven while its licence was under review had put G-A-Y Bar "at risk financially". The venue was closed at the request of the Met Police and reviewed by the council after the alleged rape.

During the review process, a Met spokesperson called the venue the " highest crime generator in the borough ". New security measures were put in place, with police input, and the council's licensing committee allowed it to reopen last month. After another one of his venues, G-A-Y Late, closed inhe said london had planned to apply for a late licence for his remaining venue under that brand.

He later bar against this as he felt it would face too many objections from the council, police and residents. He said when he had opened the venue on Old Compton Street, it was the "gayest street in the gayest capital". The nightclub owner said he wanted the G-A-Y Bar to remain an LGBT venue and he was also considering a franchising option to achieve that, but he believed it would not happen "in the current climate".

A Met Police spokesperson said: "We work in partnership and as a community with local venues, residents and partners to understand the impact and issues at night. Send your story ideas to hello. Skip to content. G-A-Y Bar goes on sale as Soho 'loses vibrancy'. Share Save. Getty Images.

Heaven nightclub to reopen after licence hearing. Hospitality industry.