Laurence Dollimore
AN iconic British music venue in Mallorca is fighting for its life after a six-year battle with ‘homophobic’ neighbours.
The Lesbian couple who own Betty’s International Music Bar, in Cala Egos, fear their venue will be forced to close after the town hall warned them about the number of calls it has been receiving.
That is despite the venue being 100% legal and holding the correct licences and after having invested more than €30,000 in sound-proofed ceilings, doors and windows.
“Our neighbours just want us out, it’s been a non-stop campaign of harassment,” co-owner Leanne Green, 37, from near Leeds, told the Olive Press last night.
“The owner of the apartment upstairs told us he doesn’t want ‘dirty lesbians’ around here and his kids who live there have spat on our terraces and sometimes we see them just staring into our CCTV cameras trying to intimidate us.”
Leanne reported the verbal abuse to Guardia Civil but a lack of evidence meant no action could be taken.
Images seen by the Olive Press show the neighbours spitting on the terrace and putting middle fingers up at the cameras.
The venue has reportedly been there since 1985 and all previous owners have played their music loudly without soundproofing and without complaints.
“We found out from the mayor this week that unless we can stop the neighbour’s harassment and constant calls they do have the power to stop our music, it’s unbelievable,” added Leanne, who has had to go on anti-anxiety medication due to ongoing ordeal.
“We are a very hard working and successful English gay couple who have built a wonderful trade for the area, to lose Betty’s would lose hundreds of tourists in Cala D’or and more importantly revenue would be affected for everyone – including taxis, restaurants, hotels, apartments and other bars!”
Leanne and her partner Melanie Bland have launched a petition online to show support for the venue and have already garnered 1,000 signatures.
“Please sign to show your support for us,” the pair added, “we need to let the town hall know how loved and important our bar is.”
Visit their Facebook page to sign the petition or click here.
Laurence Dollymore, with reference to Leanne and Melanie’s case in Mallorca.
I’m an Italian expat living in Gran Canaria and wish to comment on your rather one sided piece about the noisy lesbian couple.
My impression is that the case is similar to that of a bar facing my flat.
They also spent money on sound proofing but the local cops held them responsible also for keeping the peace outside (noisy customers drinking and disturbing neighbours’ sleep). They also eventually
Your article fails to mention outside behaviour after midnight.
Italians and Brits aren’t used to care much for their extended responsibilities outside the premises.
Spanish cops will instead enforce regulations and hold the bar responsible.
Spaniards are normally quite tolerant and I find overdone and unjustified playing the lesbian victim card.
The problem is NOT they are lesbians, bisexual, or whatever you want. Nobody cares about that.
The problem is the place is a nest of drunkards who make life pretty difficult for the neighbours.