Julia Grant interview: part one (VIDEO)

Julia begins by talking about gay Manchester in the 1970's, the first August Bank Holiday event in 1990 and how she moved to Manchester and opened her initial business on Bloom Street.

She describes how various developments, Queer As Folk and the large breweries had an effect on the village and how it differed from the decades previously.

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A decade ago, Julia Grant was one of the best-known business owners in Manchester's gay village and an outspoken voice in both the LGBT and mainstream media.

After Mardi Gras 1999 raised nothing at all for good causes, she ran the successful and free-to-enter GayFest for two years. But, some people — including local councillors and Manchester City Council — weren't happy at all.

Unexpectedly, in 2002, Julia sold Hollywood Showbar and her other businesses and left. Despite rumours and malicious gossip in the years since then, she didn't speak out in public.

Now, in this exclusive 70-minute interview Julia Grant reveals the LGBT history that you won't see at the current Manchester Pride exhibition at The Lowry gallery. Plus she recalls the events that drove her out of the city.

This was recorded on 10 July 2011 during the Sparkle weekend.

Note: eventually, when time allows, archive photos, video and other media will be added to this interview.

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