Iconic London gay pub looks set to be resurrected in Somerset
The Coleherne, formerly in Earls Court, is upping sticks to the country
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Pixabay
A famous gay pub from Earls Court, London is “99.9%” likely to be resurrected in Taunton, Somerset, it has been claimed.
The Coleherne, formerly in Earls Court, opened in the 1970s and was popular into the 90s before its eventual closure.
Now Graham Hill – a former DJ at the pub – has shared his plans to bring the bar back. And although he hasn’t yet signed a lease, he’s quietly confident the bar will be open this year.
“It isn’t a done deal yet”
Speaking to Somerset Live, Hill said: “I’ve been in negotiations with the pub company for about four months now, it is progressing. [We] will both be putting a significant investment into it. Although until the lease is signed, it isn’t a done deal yet.”
Explaining his plans for the inclusive space, Hill said: “It will be a non-restrictive, LGBT+ and allies pub, anyone and anybody can come as long as your behaviour is right.”
He added: “The aim is to try [to] open by summertime if Government [coronavirus] restrictions allow, but it is looking increasingly harder at the moment as there is some way to go. It was originally meant to open earlier but it keeps getting pushed back.
“Until the lease is signed, it may not go ahead. It isn’t definitely happening yet, as it is not a done deal. I think it will be, I’m 99.9% sure it will be, but I can’t 100% confirm yet.”
The pub would take the place of Apple and Parrot – before that, The Moat House – on Corporation Street.
The county of Somerset is home to around 550,000 people, with Taunton specifically home to around 70,000. Currently, the closest LGBTQ spaces to the town are in Bristol, Bath and Exeter.
In December 2020, a new LGBTQ space called ARCH bar opened in Clapham, London – before the English capital entered a third lockdown.
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