Imperial digs in its heels

City of Sydney Council’s decision to deny the Imperial Hotel's latest development applications sends a negative message to the area’s gay community and could have ramifications for patrons’ safety according to the hotel’s owner.

The iconic gay pub in Erskineville was to erect a giant replica stiletto from the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and increase its patron capacity as part of ongoing renovations.

Imperial Hotel owner Shadd Danesi said he was concerned about patrons’ safety whilst waiting in queues outside the hotel.  “Not increasing the capacity to 788 could leave hundreds of people queuing on Erskineville Road exposed to dangers of traffic and abuse," he said.

With the sudden closure of the Newtown Hotel last year following a licensing dispute, Mr Danesi expects increased crowds when the Imperial Hotel reopens. 

Mr Danesi had also lodged a request to place a giant stiletto on the roof of the hotel.  Council denied the development application, stating it would not be appropriate to the heritage and culture of the art-deco heritage-listed building.

Social networking site Facebook has a 2700-strong group dedicated to saving The Imperial Hotel, with many members agreeing the stiletto would be a unique artwork signifying the large gay community in the area.

Mr Danesi has appealed both decisions and resubmitted amended development applications for both proposals.

The Imperial Hotel is famous for its drag shows and was featured in the films The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Erskineville Kings with Hugh Jackman.

The Imperial Hotel is due to reopen its doors in October.

If you are missing the drag fun of Mitzi Macintosh during the Imperial’s renovation rescue, you can catch her on Tuesday’s at the Sly Fox in Enmore for the hilarious Bingay, or attend ‘Sunday School’ on Sunday nights at ARQ.

(Image by J Bar, Wkipedia - used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation license)