New Union
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The Union Hotel was built in 1860 and is one the oldest gay meeting place in the North West. Its name refers to the union of the Commonwealth countries at that time. During the 1940s it hosted drag shows that were popular amongst American troops stationed nearby. It went on to develop a strong LGBT clientele in the 1950s, which resulted in the owner going to prison on the grounds of ill repute. By 1970s, the pub was renamed The New Union and established itself as one of the first openly gay venues in the city.
