A hearing took place at Camden Town Hall yesterday morning and a decision is expected by the end of the week.
The pub’s closure earlier this year attracted widespread criticism and a heated campaign from locals and from the LGBT community, who nominated the pub as an ACV due to the ‘crucial part the pub played in LQBT history.’
Campaigner Joe Parslow, who co-produced a popular night at the pub and was present at the ACV hearing, accused the new owners of ‘disregarding the community who use and care for the venue.’
Popular café chain the Breakfast Club has fought off criticism after it emerged the company had bought the lease for the ground floor and basement of the pub.
Writing on his blog, Breakfast Club founder Jonathan Arana-Morton stressed that the future of the Black Cap remains uncertain.
“We don’t know how this is all going to pan out. There’s a group currently occupying the building called Camden Queer Punx 4eva. On top of this, nobody seems to fully understand the implications of the Asset of The Community Value that was granted a long time after we’d signed the contract to take the lease on part of the pub. We are in the crossfire, but legally bound to a contract to take over the pub when the sale to Camden Securities goes through.”
A statement on the 7 strong chain’s website added: “We feel we could be very good custodians for the Black Cap and the community it serves.”
Six pledges have been issued from the company to safeguard the pub’s history, including promising to retain its name, making donations to LGBT charities and providing a place for community groups to meet.
A petition demanding that the pub be reopened has attracted over 7,500 signatures.