Campaigners fighting to reopen the iconic Black Cap say a new survey reveals the loss of the pub is mourned far beyond its Camden Town home because of its importance to the LGBT community.
The Black Cap Foundation carried out the survey in the last weeks of January as part of its battle to have the pub reopened.
BCF campaign co-ordinator Chris Clark, said: “We received responses from as far afield as Australia and America, which shows how much the Black Cap matters to people around the world.
“The responses showed very much that the pub is seen as a gay pub - it is not ‘gay friendly’, it’s gay, and people want to see it used for the gay community, for entertainment and arts.”
The venue, which dates back to around 1800, has been listed as an asset of community value (ACV) but campaigners need to raise £250,000 to bid for it and are holding weekly vigils in Camden High Street to drum up support.
Since its abrupt and unexpected closure last April, more than 8,000 people have signed a petition calling on current owners, Kicking Horse, to reopen the pub,
So far, the vociferous campaign has helped to unwind the sale of the pub after contracts were exchanged as well as winning a six-month moratorium on the sale of the pub, which is set to expire in March.
The ACV status adds an extra layer of planning protection, meaning that any future buyers will have to demonstrate they have community interests at heart.
A large vigil is set be held outside the pub on the second Saturday in April, marking the one year anniversary since the pub closed its doors.
Mr Clark said: “We want to form some kind of consortium working with partners who want to reopen the pub and run it as a thriving, profitable venue for the gay community.
“We’re definitely not going anywhere. We’ll still be here in ten years, if needs be.”
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