The UK's largest exclusively gay hotel will be forced to accept straight customers from April.

Legends, Marine Parade, Kemp Town, Brighton, welcomes guests to a "new era in gay hotels" on its website.

But new anti-discrimination laws, destined to protect minority groups, are also set to make it illegal for bars, clubs and hotels to cater for a gay-only clientele.

The new legislation has hit the headlines after a spat between the Government and Catholic adoption agencies, with religious groups demanding an exemption from the law so same-sex couples cannot adopt children from them.

But the Sexual Orientation Regulations, which are due to come into effect in April, outlaw discrimination on the basis of any sexual orientation.

Brighton has one of the highest number of official and unofficial gay-only clubs, pubs and hotels in the country, all of which will have to open their doors to the wider public.

The UK's largest gay-only hotel, Legends, has only just reopened after a £3 million makeover and has received a 24-hour drinking licence.

Councillor Simon Williams, who campaigned for Kemp Town to be officially recognised as Brighton's Gay Village, thinks the new law could hit the pink pound.

He said: "It is an issue and I feel that there is definitely a need for special spaces for minority groups where they can safely meet each other.

"I would like community services to be protected as Brighton is already a bit quiet and places may close."

But Arran Pawson, marketing manager for Legends, said he did not believe the new legislation would affect the hotel's popularity.

He said: "We haven't got a problem with the law and will follow it.

"It will not affect us and it doesn't make any difference."

But a gay-only hotel owner in Blackpool has claimed the new legislation will ruin his business, and others in Brighton believe the regulations will impact on trade.

Alex Matthews is manager of the Amsterdam Hotel, Marine Parade, Kemp Town, which was previously gay-only but is now mixed.

He said the number of gay-only hotels, bars and clubs has been slimming year on year in Brighton, as the LGBT community has become increasingly integrated.

He said: "It will affect quite a few places but we stopped doing it about four or five years ago.

"I was hoping by the time that I got old we would not have specific venues - it is getting there."

The regulations are already in pace in Northern Ireland since January 1 and are due to be implemented in England, Wales and Scotland by April.

What do you think? Should gay-only venues have to conform to the new anti-discrimination laws? Have your say, leave your comments below.