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In The South

Friends of Joiners Arms win ‘Best Community Campaign’ award

Besi Besemar March 25, 2018

A campaign to save LGBT community pub lights up National Campaigner Awards.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundationā€™s 2018 National Campaigner Awards were held in London on Wednesday, March 21.

These annual Awards are unique in celebrating some of the countryā€™s foremost change-makers across categories ranging from best use of digital to the young personā€™s award.

The winner of the Best Community Campaign award this year wereĀ Friends of the Joiners Arms, who won the award for their campaign against the closure of legendary east-end LGBT+Ā pub.

The pub was closed in 2015 by developers intending to replace the venue with a luxury residential development. After three years of campaigning, the developers agreed to include the pub as part of the new development. Not only that, it is the first time planning conditions have been used to require developers ensure a pub is protected for the LGBT+Ā community.

The campaign also won additional protections: a 25 year lease; a larger footprint than previously occupied; first year rent-free; and Ā£130k towards fit-out costs.

This award is sponsored by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation and was presented by Craig Bennett, CEO of Friends of the Earth.

Speaking about their win, Friends of the Joiners Arms, said: ā€œWe are incredibly honoured to receive this award. We are just one of the many campaigns representing the diverse queer community across the city, who have seen so many of their vital spaces taken away. This award is a recognition of how important this issue is, and that by joining together we can fight back!ā€

SMKā€™s Chief Executive Sue Tibballs, added:Ā ā€˜The SMK Campaigner Awards provide us with a unique opportunity to celebrate some of the most inspiring, innovative and often courageous people who are speaking out to effect change. Our communities are fairer, safe, kinder and more tolerant as a result. Our thanks and congratulations to them allā€™

The Sheila McKechnie FoundationĀ (SMK) helps people and organisations effect positive and lasting social change ā€“ whether in their local community or across the globe, bringing communitiesĀ together to share new ideas, knowledge and resources, helping people and organisations campaign more effectively and efficiently, build confidence, nurture talent and accelerate impact.

For more information about the SMK Awards, click here:

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