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BASIL’S IN THE PINK
Long before the rainbow flags began to fly with pride above his hometown Basil Newby was out there, loud and proud.
For more than four decades he has been striving to change attitudes. With a twinkle in his eye he relates his remarkable business journey, sprinkling amusing anecdotes and tales of the stars.
The former holiday camp Bluecoat talks of encounters with celebrities ranging from Joan Collins and the Pet Shop Boys to Sue Pollard, Paul O’Grady and Take That. All have appeared in his venues.
However, behind this showbiz glitter is a harder story of resilience, of challenges in the face of prejudice and of determination not to give in. In many ways it mirrors that of his hometown. Basil has been a leading figure in Blackpool’s nightlife for more than
45 years, the man who delivered the pink pound to the resort. At one time he operated so many successful venues the town was known as ‘Basilpool’.
Now the youthful looking 74-year-old has announced his retirement and plans to sell his iconic Funny Girls venue – the internationally acclaimed drag cabaret show bar that is one of the true jewels in Blackpool’s entertainment crown.
It is renowned for its drag and burlesque cabaret bar, and offers spectacular live entertainment, comedy, music and dance performances.
Funny Girls and Basil’s many other ventures over the years, including the iconic Flamingo Club, have been major contributors to the resort’s visitor economy, helped spark regeneration and laid the foundations of
today’s ‘Rainbow Quarter’ and vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
Things were so very different in 1979 when he opened the Flamingo, the resort’s first openly gay venue. He financed it from the sale of his first business venture, a fancy goods shop, and with help from his father.
He says: “I had to get a licence from the magistrates. My solicitor told me I’d be the first gay person in the UK to hold a licence because if you were gay, you were classed as unfit and improper.
“He told me not to let the police know I was gay because I’d lose the licence. Police used to come into the club, ask me if I was gay and I’d tell them, ‘No, I’m just really good at acting’.”
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BIG INTERVIEW
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