The Black Cap on Monday April 13 2015, the day its closure was announced by owners Faucet Inn
Last week, Camden council recognised the Black Cap – the iconic pub that has been a site of LGBTQ socialising and performance for more than 50 years – as an asset of community value or ACV. Those of us who cherished it were happy at the news, which means a venue can’t be sold without giving the community a chance to bid for it.
Well, the joke was on us: its owner had already sold the place on the quiet before Christmas and today (April 13 2015) it’s been shut down, without any public notice whatsoever – though last night’s show was a fantastic last hurrah.
A statement released today by Faucet Inn Limited reads:
“Faucet Inn Limited regrets to announce that it is no longer able to operate The Black Cap in Camden, London; a site it has operated on behalf of the freeholder for the last five years.
“The building which was exchanged by the freeholder in December last year will complete imminently which has meant the site has had to be closed as of today. The building had been the subject of a planning permission application request to convert the upper floors which was subsequently rejected by the council.
“Faucet Inn thanks its loyal customers over the time it has operated the site and regrets the impact on the LGBTQI community of the closure of the venue.
“This historical venue has long been recognised as an important part of the LGBTQI community and its significant contribution to many performers on the London and international cabaret circuit.”
The Black Cap’s Twitter account was deleted within an hour of last night’s show finishing at around 1am. Today the venue’s Facebook page and its entry on Faucet Inn’s website also went offline.
There was no explanation as to why the closure took place without prior warning.
ACV status is believed not to apply to sales that are already underway when the status is approved.
This post was amended to clarify that Faucet Inn were, according to their statement, the Black Cap’s operators not the owners of its freehold.
