{{use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Use British English|date=November 2021}} {{Coord|53.794582|-1.541720|display=title|region:GB_scale:10000}} [[File:The New Penny, Call Lane, Leeds - DSC07544.JPG|thumb|alt=Street view of New Penny|right|View of the New Penny from Call Lane in 2010]] [[File:New Penny blue plaque 4 August 2018.jpg|thumb|right|Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque]] '''The New Penny''' is a [[gay pub]] in [[The Calls]] area of [[Leeds]], [[West Yorkshire]]. It is reported to be the oldest continually running gay pub in the UK.
==History==
The pub started as the Hope and Anchor in 1953. Although difficulty with the law meant it was a secretive place, it was the first gay venue to open outside [[London]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leeds Gay Scene |url=http://www.leeds-uk.com/gay/leeds-gay-scene.htm}}</ref>
In March 1968, the Hope and Anchor was featured in an exposé-style article in the local [[The Gryphon|''Union News'']]<ref name="gryphon">{{Cite news |last=Dalton |first=John |date=8 March 1968 |title=The Ones in Twenty |work=Union News}}</ref> and possibly as a result of this article, the content of which was soon reprinted in a national newspaper, [[The Sunday People|''The People'']],<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 1968 |title=Even in these permissive times, do we want pubs like this? |work=The People}} The journalist was shocked that the pub was not “in sinful Soho or permissive Paddington” but in “the homely Yorkshire town of Leeds.” For context see Cook, Matt (2020) Local matters: queer scenes in 1960s Manchester, Plymouth and Brighton. ''Journal of British Studies'' 59 (1), pp. 1-25.</ref> the pub was targeted and "completely wrecked" by football fans following the Leeds United v. Glasgow Rangers match at [[Elland Road]] on 9 April 1968.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Gary |title=Paint it white: following Leeds everywhere |date=2003 |publisher=Mainstream |isbn=1840187298 |location=Edinburgh}}</ref> A period of closure followed, and after a change of ownership it reopened as The New Penny.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trojan |title=Pubs worth celebrating |url=http://www.secretleeds.com/viewtopic.php?t=408&start=220 |access-date=18 June 2017 |website=Secret Leeds}}</ref>
The pub has hosted various well-known [[drag queens]] on its stage, including [[Lily Savage]], Anna Glypta, Fats and Small, Sisters Slim, Amber Dextrous, Miss Orry, and Ricky Glass.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
The New Penny is hosted 7 nights a week by its talented resident drag queens such as Alexis Lilly, Franny, Ruby Boy & Miss Mindy Minigue - as well as Dj Lee Lee.
The New Penny is one of the most popular venues in Leeds, attracting a diverse crowd of gay and straight patrons. It regained its popularity when [[Alcohol licensing laws of the United Kingdom|drinking laws]] were relaxed to allow a later licence, usually meaning it is the last venue to close its doors at weekends on the Leeds gay scene. It is also involved in the annual [[Leeds Pride]] event.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
On 19 October 2016, [[Leeds Civic Trust]] awarded it a [[blue plaque]] "for providing a safe venue for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."<ref name=YEP2016>{{Cite news |last=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 October 2016 |title=Leeds pub makes history with blue plaque award |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/leeds-pub-makes-history-with-blue-plaque-award-1-8191550 |access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref>
==References== {{Commons category|The New Penny, Leeds}} {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:New Penny}} [[Category:Pubs in Leeds]] [[Category:1953 establishments in England]] [[Category:LGBTQ culture in Leeds]] [[Category:Leeds Blue Plaques]] [[Category:LGBTQ pubs in the United Kingdom]]