£2m refit finally under way at The Black Cap pub, Camden

Now, after holding a weekly vigil – and listing the Black Cap as an Asset of Community Value to save it from redevelopment – campaigners are “excited” that the £2 million refit is finally underway.

The project to reopen it as an LGBT and performance venue with B&B accommodation had been delayed by major structural issues – then squatters broke into the derelict pub.

Campaigners have held a weekly vigil outside The Black Cap in Camden High Street come rain or shine. (Image: WeAreTheBlackCap) But with builders now back on site, owners Kicking Horse Three are hoping to welcome their first punters in six months’ time.

Alex Green of WeAreTheBlackCap campaign said: “This battle has been going for more than ten years. We’re really excited that the fit out finally started on Monday and it should be open before Christmas.”

He added: “We started when a group of regulars and locals got together after the owner tried to get planning permission to turn it into flats.

“The pub closed on April 12, 2015 and since then, so many LGBT venues have closed down, we have lost so many safe places which were open to our community of gay men as far back as when homosexuality was illegal.”

Campaigners at London’s Pride celebrations in 2024. (Image: WeAreTheBlackCap) The campaign group are the subject of a yet-to-be-released documentary, following their weekly vigils outside the Camden High Street pub and legal bid to turn themselves into a Community Benefit Society which has first refusal if the pub comes up for sale.

“Challenging the applications, becoming an Asset of Community Value, our vigils every single week on a Saturday rain or shine, making business plans to run it as an LGBT venue, has been a lot of work, but we’ve had support from the Mayor’s office and GLA,” said Alex.

“A famous cabaret and drag venue where Lily Savage has played is a bit of gay history that doesn’t exist anywhere else, and it’s important to have those touchstones, but there are a lot of layers to the Black Cap.

“It’s been around for 250 years and is a Camden landmark – it used to be where Camden tube is but moved to its current position in 1907.

“It represents the history of Camden as a radical place where differences are celebrated.”

They had hoped the pub would reopen last Christmas but there were planning issues, then the discovery of joists that needed repair, and finally squatters broke in.

Now the campaign group have given feedback on the decor and design, including facilities for future performers.

Alex, a singer songwriter and performer, says: “It will primarily be an LGBT performance venue with a brilliant open terrace at the back, B&B rooms, a big bar and performance space.

“It has to be a safe space for our community but everyone is welcome at the Cap as long as you come and know it’s a gay bar – now we just want to get it open!”