A legend of Old Compton Street and London’s vibrant gay scene in general, Comptons of Soho turns 26 this weekend. We asked guv’nor Neil Hodgson to tell us more about the celebrations…
QX: Comptons 26th birthday is fast approaching – how do you plan on marking the occasion?
We have a whole weekend devoted to everyone having a great time and the Comptons team have pulled out all the stops to ensure this! There is a fantastic DJ line up, we are open till 2am both on Friday and Saturday and, naturally, no door charge. There will be free shots and nibbles all weekend and some surprises, too!
What was the reason for the gangster theme? Are you trying to tell us something about how you run Comptons?
The grandiose style of Comptons and the pubs chequered history just lends itself to it! And, no, I’m not autocratic in my management style… but maybe slightly aristocratic [laughs].
A little birdie tells us it’s also your birthday – how do you feel about sharing the limelight with Comptons and its loyal customers?
Honoured! There is 67 years between us and we have been together 15 of those years… I’ll let people work the maths out themselves!
What’s been your biggest Comptons highlight over the years?
The biggest highlight for me was when we gained the Soho Club Lounge on the 1st floor, from a space that was inaccessible to our guests and consisted of an office and dilapidated staff rooms.
You’ve been with the bar on and off for a very long time, that’s a bit like a 15-year marriage! What’s the secret to a successful relationship?
The Grand Old Dame is hard work, high maintenance and very demanding! She still requires a lot of energy and, at times, drains me of blood, sweat and tears! But even after all these years together, while I have the drive she has my undivided attention.
We’re sure in those fifteen years both you’ve seen a lot of changes. What, for you, has been the biggest changes with the bar?
We are not and never have been guilty of just opening our doors. I look consistently at new ideas and ways to improve ourselves, not only as a business but as a team. We also are very good at moving with current trends. Comptons is really driven by its people, our regulars; they’re a very devoted public! These are the people who can really boast and take ownership of their bar, without them we have no business. This was our foundation, a bar created for the people by the people. There is a great vibe in Comptons and while we maintain that vibe in conjunction with everything else we do well, we will always pull in the crowds. As bars and pubs rapidly approach the £5 a pint mark, we currently face the ongoing economic recession. The real survivors will be the ones that deliver the best experience on all levels!
You call Comptons the Grand old dame of Soho, but isn’t that you, Neil? You look good on it, though…
Grand I may well be but an old dame? Certainly not! I feel good and I really am in my prime, as is The Grand Old Dame Of Soho!
• The Comptons birthday celebrations kick off on Friday 8th February and continue throughout the weekend. Get down there and help them raise glass to the special occasion.
