Another of London’s gay saunas closes its doors
Another of the city’s gay bathhouses has shut its doors for good.
Chariots in Streatham has closed for business, it has been announced.
PinkNews was made aware of the sauna’s closure after being contacted by a concerned reader – who wishes to remains anonymous.
“A friend just called to say he is at Streatham Chariots and that they are moving items out,” he said.
“There was no warning about this venue closing. I’ve just checked the website and the page shows 404 error.
“I understand that the one at Shoreditch is also going to close too.”
A spokesperson for the popular business confirmed to PinkNews that the Streatham branch has now closed – however, she said that the company is currently seeking new premises for the Shoreditch branch.
“I can confirm that our Streatham branch has now closed,” Melanie Giddings of Chariots’ head office said.
“Our Shoreditch branch is closing later this month (February 22), but we are currently seeking new premises in the area.
“Until then, our Waterloo and Vauxhall branches remain open,” she added.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the current site of Chariots in Shoreditch is set to be demolished to make way for a new luxury hotel.
The site will be flattened, in order to build the 200-bedroom building, which will also include offices and retail space.
The brand has come under increased criticism in the past few years, after a string of controversies led to questions regarding the safety and security of the saunas – especially the soon to be closed Shoreditch branch.
The site was severely damaged in a fire in 2011, with around 150 men evacuated from the club during the incident – many of them barefoot and wearing towels.
In 2012, a 46-year-old man was discovered dead in the sauna.
Last year, another man was found dead in the Waterloo branch of Chariots.
Neither death was treated as suspicious by police.
