It has been announced that tomorrow night the Pride of Ramsgate will open its doors as a gay venue following the closure of Rainy’s in the town’s Turner Street. It’s said that the club is being launched as a gay venue by Rainy’s bosses Rainy Cooper and her partner Karen Cooper and their friend and business partner Steve Miles.

Ms Cooper said that “Ours is yet another licensed premises killed off by the new laws passed by our government. The smoking ban caused people to stay away in droves because there is no atmosphere in a venue when constant breaks to smoke mean there are more outside than in. It was the final straw. All licensed premises have been affected by this law which should have been down to freedom of choice. Next it will be no drinking outside the home and eventually there will be no social interaction in the UK.”

Karen and Rainy has said that they aimed to appeal across the community and to also stage theme nights with music to suit different audiences, ages and tastes.

Rainy Cooper said that “We have been fighting rumours for four years because people thought that as the club was owned by a gay couple, it was a gay place. In fact the only gay night was Monday. Now we are going to run it as a gay venue until it is sold. Straight people will be very welcome too.”

The Pride of Ramsgate will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm and on Sundays from 7pm.

So will you be paying the place a visit?

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