Pub no longer gay, says new landlord
NEW owners have taken over a gay pub that was forced to shut down following a hate campaign including vandalism and intimidation.
The Flag, Crouch Hill, was a gay pub for several years and flew the gay pride rainbow flag outside it.
But the windows were regularly smashed and some customers faced intimidation or abuse if they were seen leaving it.
The managers were forced to install CCTV and a buzzer entry-system for security.
Former customer Lucus Vogt, 26, a careworker, said: "Stroud Green is not a safe area for gays. The Flag had its windows smashed at least once a month.
"You don't want to sit in a bar and have a brick come through the window so it was always absolutely dead in there.
"People didn't feel safe leaving either so they didn't go. There were a few incidents outside with customers.
"People prefer to go to Catch 22 in Turnpike Lane instead - because although Turnpike Lane is not that safe, people at least feel safer there than they do in Stroud Green."
The pub closed down at the end of March but has just re-opened under new management - and a new policy of being "open to all".
New landlord Jim McGee-Irvine said: "Everybody's welcome here now. We are not a gay pub.
"We don't use the security system apart from when it is late at night. We do feel safe here and the pub is being completely renovated over the next three months.
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