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Jane Standing |
Go-ahead for a Soho gay centre
One-stop shop for LGBT community could mirror San Francisco venue
PLANS to build the UK’s largest gay community centre in Soho moved a step closer this week as the council gave the scheme the green light.
Planning consultants are being invited to submit blueprints for a flagship lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) “one-stop shop” to rival the world famous centre in San Francisco.
The centre, which topped a list compiled by community groups of 65 initiatives to improve the area, would offer a range of amenities under one roof including health and social care services, business support, legal advice and even an art gallery.
At 40,000 sq ft, the San Francisco centre, is no shoebox. It has close to 2,500 members, and houses a computer centre, theatre, art gallery, restaurant, roof terrace, 12 offices for the use of no-profit organisations and 10 meeting rooms for community groups.
An exact location is yet to be agreed upon, but Soho is desirable because of its central location and reputation for “tolerance”, with around 10 per cent of its residents from the LGBT community.
Jane Standing, chief executive officer at Kairos, the LGBT charity behind the venture, said: “The community has created a great opportunity through sustained and strategic community work. We have seen unprecedented change regarding the law and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Nevertheless, the lack of a central, accessible, physical centre for the London LGBT community means that the average citizen has little opportunity to inform or take part in the crucial process of social change. We are talking about a creative space where a diverse community can gain support, stay informed and take part in community action.”
The other proposals that make up the Soho Action Plan – the council’s five-year regeneration masterplan for the area – include a dedicated black cab rank, more public art and closure of illegal “clip-joints”.
Councillor Alastair Moss, chairman of Westminster’s planning committee said: “LGBT residents, workers and visitors are an important and valued part of the Soho community and we know the concept of a “one-stop shop” for their health, business and community needs is popular. Now we want to look carefully at the logistics and practicalities to see if we can help make this exciting concept a reality.”
The tendering process was officially launched at the annual conference of Kairos last week. |
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