Cornwall's only gay bar has been put up for sale and here's what they're blaming

Christopher Powney and Steve Holmes opened Déjà Vu in New Bridge Street in Truro just over two years ago but have now placed it on the market, with a listed price of £39,950.

They took over the former home of Bar Qdos and opened Déjà Vu after a huge renovation in time for Cornwall Pride in August 2015.

When opening the bar, Christopher and Steve said they would stay open as long as it paid for itself and this proved to be the case, with takings around Cornwall Pride propping up the business, paying for the building’s insurance, public liability and music licence.



However, with losing such a large chunk of income over the one weekend due to the decision to move Cornwall Pride to Newquay, and being left to pay the various bills out of their own pockets, they took the decision to sell.

"It is quite sad as we have a wide range of clientele and a lovely relaxed atmosphere," Steve said. "There's no pushing or shoving or groping going on here. We don't allow that and people feel safe as a result.

"The main thing that crippled us was moving Pride. In Truro it was an established event and nice and central and easy for people to get to on bus and train. Why move it?

"I know plenty of people who didn't go this year as it was held in Newquay.

"There's a lot of people who aren't publicly out and the event in (Victoria Park as part of Pride) in Truro was perfect for people to turn up knowing they weren't in full public view. They felt safe in Truro and safety is something people have had concerns with regarding the Newquay event.

"An average Pride weekend made us between three and four thousand pounds and this money set us up for much of the year."

Steve went on to state that there was little in the way of consultation with the venue about relocating Pride but should things pick up, he and Christopher would be willing to reconsider their decision to sell, although he suspects such an upturn is unlikely.

"We were never in this to make huge amounts of profit," Steve added. "We just wanted to give something back to the community.

"Sadly it hasn't been massively supported by the gay community in Cornwall and the Pride decision was the final nail in the coffin.

"We haven't been helped by the bad publicity that has said there's no point going to Truro after 5pm and the fact that in Truro everywhere has to stop serving alcohol and kick out around 2/2.30am. Unlike others we stuck to the rules and regulations.

"Why would people come to Truro knowing their night out will be two hours shorter than in other towns in Cornwall? So many bars and clubs have shut or are up for sale and Truro could die to the point it has no nightlife."

The two-storey premises is situated to the rear of a terrace of businesses off New Bridge Street and is accessed via a covered alleyway.

Déjà Vu comprises of a bar seating area on the ground floor along with bar/servery, and ladies and gents toilets. On the second floor there is a dance floor with a small DJ booth and secondary service point.

source: http://www.cornwalllive.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/cornwall-pride-relocation-final-nail-465809