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By: Nigel Robinson

Canterbury is gay enough and that's official

That was the decision of the Local Government Ombudsman after a two-month investigation, following complaints from a gay group that the cathedral city was ignoring its LGBT community.

As reported in Pride Life’s gay news pages, Pride in Canterbury lodged their complaint on the grounds that the city doesn’t have a gay bar or community centre, and that the Council made no effort to attract the lucrative pink pound.

After considering the evidence, including a list of touring plays and musicals, the Ombudsman told the Council that he would not be pursuing the matter further.

Colin Carmichael, chief executive of Canterbury City Council, said: "We have always refuted suggestions that the council doesn’t engage with the LGBT community and I’m delighted that the Ombudsman agrees that the argument is groundless.

"Such allegations have been particularly disappointing in light of the past funding we have secured for Pride in Canterbury, and our holding of a gay open day in the council offices on one Saturday last year."

However, Andrew Brettell, chair of Canterbury Pride, said last month that he had the impression that the Council did not want a thriving gay community in the city.

"I get the feeling it is precious because Canterbury has a cathedral and history,” he said. “I think they think the gay community will turn it into Sodom and Gomorrah."