A NEW pub has been named as York’s principal Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender venue.

Management at The Corner Pin, in Tanner Row, have moved to Thomas’s of York, in Museum Street, and taken their former pub’s label with them.

A crowd of supporters turned up to the former venue on Friday to bid it a fond farewell and celebrate all it has done for the LGBT scene in the city over the last five months.

James Massie, manager of both pubs, said: “The Corner Pin is going to a different landlord from Marston’s.

“We are closing it as the LGBT venue and celebrating the fact we are changing.

“We only found out on Wednesday that we were moving. It’s a bit short notice, but with us already having another venue we are staying positive and moving everything over to Thomas’s.

“With York Pride only nine weeks away, having Thomas’s of York as an LGBT venue will be perfect due to its central location, and due to its previous support for LGBT events in the city, such as York Pride.”

Mr Massie believes having a venue associated with the LGBT movement is vital because of homophobic abuse which he says can occur.

The bar manager pointed to the trouble experienced by Justin Heaven, 38, and his partner Robert, who were sent a letter demanding they leave Hemingbrough last February.

The anonymous hand-written mail said: “We do not like gays living here, we will have you run out of the village, this is a warning”.

Mr Massie added: “We are extremely keen to provide this new venue as we believe it is essential that York, a progressive city, has a safe space for the LGBT community.”