Tour puts city’s LGBT heritage on the map
TWO FREE ROUTES ALLOW WALKERS TO REVISIT PLACES WITH LINKS TO GAY CULTURE
A NEW walking tour of Nottingham has revealed some of the most important areas of Nottingham to the LGBT community.
The tour, sourced and put together by Troy Jenkinson, gives those participating an insight into the history of the city and its vibrant LGBT culture.
Two tours are available for people to try out - a shorter 45 minute ‘pink’ walk, and a longer 90 minute ‘yellow’ walk.
The routes, which have been carefully put together, will allow walkers to see every street, building or area of LGBT significance in Nottingham.
Troy Jenkinson, 44, a headteacher from Radcliffe-on-trent, said: “If it wasn’t for some of these places I have identified on the map, I wouldn’t be as confident in myself, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Troy, who is also the author of children’s picture books designed to normalise same-sex relationships to children, took two months to research the information - which has more than 30 stops for people to visit.
The tour, which is completely free to access, shows how historic figures such as Robin Hood have links to the LGBT community dating back many years.
Here are just some of the city centre areas with an LGBT history which are featured in the tour.
■ Palais De Dance (now Pryzm)
This nightclub, which is now Pryzm, was one of the super clubs that hosted gay nights back in the 90s for the LGBT community to enjoy.
■ Broad Street
Broad Street in Hockley has rainbow crossings created during the 2019 Pride celebrations. It was here where Pink Lace, the predecessor of Nottingham Pride, began back in 1997.
■ Black Boy Hotel (Primark)
The Black Boy Hotel, which is now a Primark in the city centre, housed one of the first gay bars in the 1960s. A small plaque on one of the pillars of the esplanade still remains as a nod to its history.
■ The ‘Gay Garage’ on Huntingdon Street
Huntingdon Street was once home to the ‘Gay Garage,’ now a Shell garage, which was named by those who spilled out of the gay clubs and visited the garage for late-night snacks.
■ Revolution at MGM
Ocean nightclub is currently located on the corner of Collin Street. The nightclub was once made up of the clubs MGM, The Sherwood Rooms and Astoria. For two decades, on the first Monday of every month, ‘Revolution’ was put on for the gay community.
■ Parkside Club on Station Street
The first ever gay club in Nottingham was the Parkside Club, a club on Station Street which most recently operated as an antiques centre. The building was demolished in 2021 after being derelict for some time.
■ The Arboretum
The park was the home of Nottingham Pride for a number of years. The celebration of the LGBTQ+ community has also been held at the Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham Castle and most recently the Lace Market area of the city centre.
■ The People’s Centre, Mansfield Road
The People’s Centre acted as an alternative citizen’s advice bureau, holding face-to-face advice sessions for gay men and women in the 1970s.
■ The Old Dog and Partridge
One of the most popular gay bars in the 1970s, found on Broad Street. At the time the gay bar was separate to the rest of the establishment, found at the back behind the ‘straight pub.’ These places often had signs on the door labelled ‘Private Party.’
■ Gatsby’s
The ‘gay mecca’ in Nottingham for many years from 1983, according to Troy. Located on the corner of Huntingdon Street and King Edwards Street, it was renamed Niche in 2007 and opened again as ‘New Gatsby’s’ in 2009 before closing again shortly after.