A new LGBTQ+ venue is set to open next month in the heart of the city’s gay community.

Glamorous will open a new bar in High Street in Kemp Town, Brighton, replacing Le Village, which closes its doors this week.

Le Village announced it would host a range of events over the next few days for an “official closing party week” to celebrate its “fabulous few years”.

Glamorous, which regularly hosts award-winning drag artists from the UK and overseas, currently has three venues in Birmingham, Coventry and Oxford.

It is hoped that the new cocktail bar will welcome its first patrons sometime next month in time for Brighton Pride in August.


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Matt Eason, owner of Glamorous, said: “We’re thrilled to announce that Glamorous will be opening a venue in Britain’s gay capital, Brighton.

“We officially get the keys on Tuesday, June 27, and we’re already planning our opening for some time in July.

“We can’t wait to share with you our plans for the venue.

“With our opening in July, that means that we are massively pleased to be a part of Brighton’s Pride celebrations in August - we’re seriously looking forward to that.”

The Argus: Glamorous currently has three venues, including one in Coventry (pictured)Glamorous currently has three venues, including one in Coventry (pictured) (Image: Glamorous)

Le Village co-owner Lee Cockshott said it was a “very hard decision” to decide to close the bar, citing “constant complaints” from neighbours behind the move.

He said: “This is one of the hardest statements I have had to make but the time has come to close Le Village.

“Losing hours off our licence at weekends and constant complaints have been the final nail in the Le Village story.

“We would like to thank everyone that has supported us over the years and this week sees our final week, so please come along and support us at some of our final events.”

The Argus: Le Village's owners said it was a 'very hard decision' to closeLe Village's owners said it was a 'very hard decision' to close (Image: The Argus)

Following news of the closure, Councillor Emma Daniel - who chairs the council’s licensing committee, said the Labour administration is “committed to protecting LGBTQ+ premises from change of use where we would lose a valued LGBTQ+ amenity”.

She said: “We are sad to see Le Village close down. We did have to make changes to the licence that Le Village held as a result of noise complaints by residents in 2020, but we are not aware of any recent complaints about the venue.

“As we progress our licensing policy, we will be consulting with LGBTQ+ communities to ensure that their space in our nightlife offer is part of a vibrant, varied and, above all, safe one.

“Our night-life economy must serve the whole city.”