Campaigners have thanked an independent weekly for its help in a nine-year fight to reopen a famous gay pub.

The Camden New Journal has won praise for its work to save The Black Cap pub, which closed in 2015.

The LGBTQ+ bar, on Camden High Street, offered a stage for cabaret acts – including Paul O’Grady – for more than six decades,

Now, plans have been lodged with Camden Council to reopen the venue.

The fresh plans made the front page of the CNJ on Thursday

Performer and activist Alex Green said: “Finally, we can say we are optimistic and the owners are really excited.

“It has been a massive win to have people sitting down round the table with the same aims – to get The Black Cap back in the way it should be.”

He said: “It has been a partnership. We have worked closely with Camden Council, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and done everything they possibly could for years.

“The GLA have supported us. The New Journal and the Camden community have worked so hard and the representatives of the new owners have been excellent.”