This week’s editor Sylvie shares our pledge to support Islington’s oldest surviving LGBT+ bar, Central Station, as it appeals for help to survive the pandemic.
We care about those who have made our beloved borough the vibrant, diverse and inclusive place it is today. That is why we have made it our mission at Islington Now to platform a cause close to our hearts: Save Central Station Bar.
Central Station is Islington’s oldest surviving LGBT+ bar, and owners Duncan and Martin are hoping to raise £70,000 through a GoFundMe page to keep their bar alive. Not only has the renowned venue offered a key space of security and love for the LGBT+ community, but they have raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for HIV/AIDS charities.
Islington would be nothing without the dedicated business owners who offer safe spaces for many in our community. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on lives across the borough, and the past year has been characterised by loss. We want to do all we can to encourage the community to get behind Central Station and call for more support.
The Islington we see today has been defined by the LGBT+ community, and it has been a great shame to see so many LGBT+ venues close over the past ten years. We want to give something back.
For the next three weeks, we will be offering stories and insights which shed a vital light on the plight of LGBT+ venues over the course of the pandemic, platforming marginalised voices and sharing stories of hope and inspiration. We hope this will encourage more to support Central Station and rally a crucial sense of community spirit.
You can donate to Central Station’s GoFundMe here: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/support-central-station
