Current Campaign

In December we received a notification that our Asset of Community Value [ACV] meant that we would be in a position to buy the Freehold on the building that the Actors (formerly the Marlborough) is on.

In a limited sense, 'we' are a group of six people who put together the original ACV - see the history page for more information. 'We' is by no means limited to that group though - by the time you read this it's likely we've added more to our number.

In a wider sense though, the ACV is clear that the Queer the Marly campaign has an obligation to the community, expressly defined as queer, marginalised, disabled and POC within the Brighton area. 'We' means anyone who's used the marly and anyone who might use the Marly and, more broadly, any queers who would benefit from a safe and commited-ly queer space.

So! The ACV gives us first dibs on buying the building that the Actors is in when it comes up for sale. It's soon to come up for sale. Consequently we've formed a Community Interest Company [CIC] to manage the fundraising. You can see details of that CIC on Companies House - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16185226>

The answer is not entirely obvious, unfortunately - the CIC and the Queer the Marly campaign is set-up to own the building that the Actors is currently in. As it stands, Laines brewery have a tenancy within that building. No decisions have been made about that but we can say that we would definitely seek to continue the tenancy to completion.

The broader ambitions of this project are that the space will remain devoutly and fantastically queer. This means a safe space for local trans, disabled, POC, gender non-conforming and sexual minorities. We would recognise the pub as critical to Brighton's transpride (the march began outside the Marlborough as was). We would seek to make the space a community space, meaning that we would take in the community's opinions rather than drive the space as a for-profit project. Being a CIC means that the directors may not make a profit on the business, guaranteeing that the interests of the CIC, in owning the building, are those of the community it represents.

Some of these details stand to be ironed out, and we'd like to ask for YOUR support in doing that ironing.

Details of how to support can be found on the home page.