Burnley

Burnley is a borough in Lancashire, and also the name of the main town within the borough. At one time Burnley was one of the world's largest producers of cotton cloth, and a major centre of engineering.

LGBT history
In 1971 there was a proposal to start a gay club in Burnley, as the first of the Esquire Clubs. The proposed granting of a license for the club caused considerable controversy, with Conservative Deputy Council Leader, Alderman Frank Bailey, suggesting that the building be bought by the corporation to stop the plan.

Later there was a Blackburn and Burnley CHE Group.

Burnley has a large gay scene, centred on the "Guys as Dolls" showbar in St James Street.

Burnley LGBT Heritage aims to discover and celebrate Burnley and East Lancashire's LGBT history past and present.