Patrons of the city’s oldest gay bar have expressed their sorrow at news of its closure.

The Bulldog Bar in St James’s Street in Brighton, which had been open since 1979, closed its doors after financial difficulties due to the pandemic and the economic climate.

One regular visitor said that the bar had been his “go-to place for the last 22 years”.

He said: “You were always greeted with a warm welcome and made to feel like part of the family.”

Another said the news was “sad for the community”, while one customer said that the closure was a “massive loss to Brighton” and would “leave a huge hole in St James’s Street”.

One Argus commentator said that it was a “shame to see a Brighton cultural icon closing”.

The bar had helped raise money for the city’s Rainbow Fund and was a popular venue during some of the city’s LGBTQ+ events, including Pride and Brighton Bear Weekend.

Graham Munday, chairman of Brighton Bear Weekend, told the managers of the bar: “[It’s] sad to see you close after all your work and support for the scene and Brighton Rainbow Fund.”

In a statement, the managers of the bar said: “We are distraught to inform you all that we have had to come to a very sad and emotional decision.

“Due to what we have had to endure over the last four years, we have decided that we have no option but to close the doors of the Bulldog Brighton.

“We would like to give a massive thank you to you all for your custom and support during those years with so many fabulous times and unfortunately difficult ones too.”

The managers of the historic pub teased that “this isn’t the end of our story - just the beginning of another chapter”, with a notice on the door of the venue stating: “Keep an eye out on your socials for exciting plans ahead”.

The bar was previously listed for sale for £1.1 million back in 2016.