Queer Junction has been forced to close while their neighbour Dempsey’s has lost their late licence, as the two have been branded the “most crime ridden” in Sheffield.
After 22 years of being the hub of Sheffield’s gay scene, it was announced late on Thursday night that Sheffield Gay Quarter on Hereford Street is fighting collapse.
South Yorkshire Police named the two venues as “the most crime ridden” in the city with the number of sexual and homophobic attacks peaking in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday. They were the only two locations in the city with a license to stay open till 6am.
With over five percent of the Sheffield population estimated to be LGBTQ+, there now remains only one nightclub tailored towards the community.
Dempsey’s Bar and Club posted on their Facebook that the change in opening hours is “totally out of our control” to a large and mainly unhappy response from customers.
Labour MP for Sheffield Central Paul Blomfield said: “Dempsey’s has always played a really important role, certainly in the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s bad news. It’s simply shocking that in this day and age the community is still facing any kind of harassment. We should be doing everything we can to support a vibrant LGBTQ+ community within Sheffield.”
Queer Junction also put out a post, saying that they “have no option other than to close [their] doors.” They have speculated that police are looking to shut down any club opening past 3am.
The manager and assistant manager for Dempsey’s were unavailable for comment.
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