Cork LGBTQ bar apologises for controversial Freshers Week rebrand

MANAGEMENT at Cork city bar Chambers has issued a public apology after their controversial rebrand for Freshers Week, when they changed their name to Sinners to appeal to a wider group of university students.

The bar on Washington Street, run by Rearden’s Group, is Cork’s only LGBTQ venue, but left many loyal customers outraged after the name change, as well as the removal of rainbow flags and other paraphernalia from inside the venue.

Drag shows were cancelled for the week, and posters of the drag queens who perform there were also removed from the bar, causing the performers to issue a statement saying they would no longer be performing there.

Among those to criticise the rebranding were the UCC students union, who issued a statement saying that students were “upset and frustrated” by the decision.

Hundreds of people gathered in Cork city centre on September 14 to protest the decision, standing outside in the pouring rain chanting: "We're here to stay, you can’t paint the gay away."

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Posting on Instagram this evening, the official Chambers account took to their story to issue a public apology reading: “Margaret here, I want to apologise for the upset caused by our actions during freshers' week.

“My team in Chambers always try to offer the best service and a safe space to all our customers, but I failed this time, I got it wrong.

“It was never my intention to alienate anybody. I realise I offended and upset many of our loyal and regular customers and I am very sorry.

“I should have handled this better. We are all aware of what happened, and I have learnt from it and I will take extra care in the future.

“As an additional apology, we are running a weekend long promotion in Chambers for all our customers. While I know it can't exactly make up for the hurt I caused, I hope it'll go some way towards making amends.”