Gay quarter plans for Leicester city centre
A nightclub entrepreneur is hoping to transform an area of the city into Leicester's unofficial gay quarter.
Venue owner Paul Giles has said that he would like to give the gay community "ownership" of a district in the city centre.
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The area being proposed is the stretch of Belgrave Gate from its junctions with Abbey Street and Burleys flyover.
His two bars, Quebec and The Village, in Belgrave Gate, are what he sees as the start of a long-term plan to transform an area of Leicester into a gay-friendly district.
He says he is in talks over four more venues, all in the area.
Mr Giles said: "The plan is still very much in the pipeline but it would be fantastic to have a gay district in Leicester.
"Most other cities have one and it's about time we did, too.
"It brings in people from out of town and is great for the city's economy.
"It also promotes safety if there's an area of city which is completely gay-friendly."
The idea has been welcomed by bosses at the Leicester Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Centre (LGBT), who say that the city could "greatly benefit" from a gay village. The director of the centre, Ian Robson, said it would increase tourism and boost business.
He said: "Giving LGBT people more choice in where they socialise can only be a good thing.
"If we look at cities like Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham and London, we see that the city as a whole has greatly benefited by these gay villages with a huge increase in tourism which benefits all business in that area."
Plans to create a gay district have also been welcomed by city councillor Patrick Kitterick.
He said: "Cities have used gay villages to regenerate areas of their city centres.
"The Manchester village near Piccadilly Station is a very good example of this.
"The key to any area being successful is a good mix of gay and straight people using the area and adding to the diversity of the city."
The project would also include a scheme where people could buy shares in the village.
Mr Giles hopes to encourage investors to buy up 49% of his company Quebec Leisure, which would still give him the controlling 51% stake in the company.
"It would be aimed at the gay community, but it would by no means be exclusively for gay people," said Mr Giles.
"Having shares in the area would give a sense of ownership over the area and I would like every gay person in Leicester to own at least one."
The businessman hopes to convert four other properties, including the Aspen building.
He also plans to extend Quebec into the Royal Bank of Scotland building next door.
Mr Giles, who also organises the city's Gay Pride event, has started a group on the social networking site Facebook.
It aims to promote the shares scheme.
The group, which is called Shares in Quebec Leisure For Sale, already has about 80 members.
43 Comments
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by J, Leicester
Thursday, April 15 2010, 3:11AM
“First of all I would like to point out that no such company (Quebec Leisure) exists as of yet which may be misleading people to believe that there are shares ready to buy. The idea of a gay village in Leicester is fantastic but I wouldn't be getting my hopes up looking at the state of the two venues Mr Giles currently owns.
Leicesters gay scene has lost a lot of customers over the closure of Streetlife over 2 years ago. Quebec has had every opportunity in that time to make the most of its closure by making a better place for gay people in Leicestershire to go to late night when other gay bars are closing. Instead Quebec is a state, The Village/Soho Lounge stands empty and its customer base is largely mixed between gay people with no where else to go and the very shady straight crowd it brings in.
Maybe the whole idea of Quebec Leisure selling shares is simply a reaction to the very recent news of Helsinki on Rutland Street being converted into a Gay venue set to open later this year by another local business person with a lot more under his belt than an empty nightclub in dire need of repair.
I welcome the idea of new gay venues in Leicester, even a gay quarter however I think people need to get a grip and see that Quebec Leisure is not the way forward. A bit like holding Leicester pride on Quebec's front door in 2009, plans to re develop that entire area into a gay village is just a bit of free publicity for Mr Giles.
Instead of making crazy notions such as selling shares in a company that doesn't exist and being scared of some new competition coming his way he should spend his time and money improving Quebec and the service it offers.”
by Red, Leicester
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 8:12AM
“Sorry Old Greg, that just won't wash. No gay person I have ever known has called being gay a "life style choice" - whatever that is. Nor do they regards themselves as anything less than "normal" - whatever that is.”
by neil garratt, loughborough
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 7:59AM
“Splendid idea. Regenerating very run down area, providing tax - paying employment and business into the city. Excellent.”
by Old Greg, Leicester
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 6:27AM
“Sorry J i do and they agree with me”
by L, leicester
Monday, April 12 2010, 11:58PM
“Regeneration of a derelict area can only be seen as a good thing, more bars in Leicester..not the best idea in the world, but I am sure there would be more investment into the ever growing city centre than just bars. Gay Village..errm kinda a good idea I think this debate has highlighted a few good points. Amongst them, that 'gay areas' 'china towns' etc are most probably old hat now and had their day. Integration of many ideas and cultures does appear to be the modern thinking just look at the Highcross its the perfect example. Wagamama's, Tapas bar, Italian restaurants, Nando;s..all you can eat chinese, Steak house..and a pie shop...Variety is the spice of life as they say. Having bars that are labelled as the place where lots of people that just happen to have a similar sexual preference gather is not a bad thing, its no different to having a bar that is where all bikers gather, or a rave..its likeminded people. Do they need to be grouped together as if intergration is impossible or unwanted? I cant see it as a forward move towards harmonic attitudes. Its like the golden mile...alright in itself but not exactly inviting, its like you are visiting a foriegn area and you arent part of the same society. How can this be a good idea? People call for integration, racial and sexual harmony and yet chose to transform areas into no go zones because whether you say its going to be for all or not..it will not be. People feel intimmidated by areas or groups of likeminded people,
it can be hoodies in the park, indian shops with indian signs full of indian people or gay bars full of gay people. In large numbers or groups its not welcoming or nice, and it then become a target of hatred because it made people feel uncomfortable.
Put them all in one place and spread them out , and have all the people walking together, unaware of each others differences., what have we got? Highcross.
Gay village area whatever..No rubbish idea..regeneration of a dump..great awesome idea. Extending Quebec...horrid idea. Spend some money on the existing building first. The toilets are a disgrace, its dirty seedy and just plain old unnatractive . Not the best impression ....”