Bar Titania, Soho, London - 16 May

Bar Titania, a new gay-friendly bar on Charing Cross Road, was opened earlier this month by an accountant who had originally been brought in to close down the struggling Maiden Tower lounge bar.

Odette Gibson, the managing director of trade accountancy firm Volenis, was approached in January by the three owners who wanted to close the business down.

The venue's design was akin to that of a nightclub but the property did not have a late license and the confused offer meant not enough revenue was being generated.

However Gibson, who has been involved with the hospitality industry for more than 30 years, managed to persuade the trio to re-think their plans.

"I said you can either sell your shares or you can take 49 per cent and give somebody else 51 per cent and they can invest in it and turn it around," she said.

Bar Titania, Soho, London - 16 May​.