The Black Cap is coming back! It is wonderful news that the venue’s doors may even reopen by Christmas.
Kicking Horse Three, the owners of the Black Cap, have already begun work on the premises and bringing the great old building back to life.
forum+ were delighted to meet with the project team working to reopen The Black Cap. The discussions were hugely exciting and we believe their plans will retain and enhance the best features of the building, securing a bright future for the venue.
The history of The Black Cap is well documented. Dubbed ‘the Palladium of Drag’, it had been an LGBT community and cabaret space for more than 60 years!
Not only a wonderful place to enjoy the most fabulous drag performance, the Black Cap was also an incredibly important community space. Prior to closure, many LGBT individuals and community groups used the venue to create support networks.
The Black Cap was always a warm, welcoming and safe space for our charity’s social support and community groups.
Outreach sessions that we conducted at The Black Cap allowed us to connect local LGBT people, raise awareness of our support services and work to improve community safety. forum+ is looking forward to more great community engagement, outreach opportunities and events at the reopened Black Cap.
The Black Cap has been missed terribly since its abrupt closure in April 2015 and in the nine years since, a great many people have given such generous donations of time and effort towards its reopening.
This is testament to the special place the iconic venue holds in Camden and LGBT culture and heritage.
forum+ (and previously Camden LGBT Forum) is proud to have secured two ACV (asset of community value) designations for the venue, in recognition of the special place this iconic venue holds in Camden culture and heritage.
So many have made significant contributions to the reopening of the Black Cap. It is right to highlight the impact of Camden Council, the Black Captivist Campaigners, the Greater London Authority, local and London LGBT press.
We are very thankful to everyone who contributed to both successful forum+ ACV applications and to the very many people who quietly supported the reopening and worked behind the scenes.
forum+ wishes every success to the team bringing the Black Cap back and writing an exciting new chapter in the story of our much loved and cherished LGBT community space.
- Tessa Havers-Strong is director of forum+
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