THE ONLY NETWORK IN THE VILLAGE
Beige takes time out to meet the organisers behind Village Drinks, a social network that is taking the gay professional community by storm
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That feeling of over familiarity with the gay scene and all it has to offer, which leads us to ask: “surely, there’s something more out there?”
Enter Village Drinks; an organisation that has done more perhaps than any other to create a gay scene “away from the scene” for like-minded gay people.
Hailed as the social event for gay professionals, Village Drinks organises monthly get together at popular, traditionally straight, London venues, as well as high-profile speaker events and outings to the theatre. Attendance at their last event was 500 plus. This success has been mirrored online. Villagedirnks.co.uk was the UK’s first gay social networking site to offer free and unlimited access to members’ profiles. In just 36 months, it has amassed 8,000 members and acquired backing from the likes of Barclays, Merrill Lynch and James Caan from the television programme, Dragons Den.
So just how did this happen; that a gay brand, previously unheard of, developed and rose to become one of the most interesting brands since Gaydar graced our scene?
The resume of how it all started appears simple. Two life-long friends; Neil Spring and Greg Healey – one a PR, one a banker - moved to London fresh from university and quickly noticed the lack of any quick and easy way to meet other, like-minded professionals. “We wanted to make life a little bit easier, a little bit better for people like us,” says Healey. “The key for us was to make social networking for gay professionals accessible, interesting and fun; otherwise, frankly, what would be the point? Those values are intrinsic to everything; we do, and every idea we have. It also means we have a fabulous time along the way!” |
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It was Spring, initially with the idea to build a website and invite friends to gather in a bar in the heart of the Westminster Village (the inspiration for the group’s name) and it is he who is widely credited with breathing new life into a concept that was generally perceived as tired, pretentious and exclusive. “Our events are about social diversity. Diversity is what makes us all different. It’s what makes us unique as individuals. And we think that’s something worth celebrating.”
Big Business would seem to think so, too. Corporate sponsors like Barclays are lining up to support the events, illustrating the increasing level of interest that the business community is taking in the gay market. According to Mark-Palmer Edgecumbe, Barclay’s Head of Diversity, Village Drinks “provide a valuable opportunity to connect like minded individuals, unite communities, break down stereotypes.”
But is it really any different to other rival, gay social networking groups? “We don’t pretend to be anything other than what we are. All of us involved with Village Drinks have full-time jobs; but we make time to be involved because we love it; we meet the most fantastic people and we help them meet each other. We’re proud of that!”
Speaking with guests at the Village Drinks summer event, it’s easy to see the concept’s appeal. As Guy Chambers, a property consultant put it: “Village Drinks is without doubt the friendliest, fun and sociable organized event I have ever been to. The type of people who attend, the occasional speakers and general buzz has inspired me to recommend it to my friends. We always have a great time and have made some wonderful new friends along the way.”
And what of the future? These young men are clearly passionate about the brand they’ve created. They speak of plans underway to establish a Village Foundation - a charity funded by their events; and a Global Village network, connecting like-minded gays across the world in a way that hasn’t been done before. Events in Manchester and New York are already being planned.
Spring’s enthusiasm is powerful and clearly genuine. “Our vision is for Village Drinks to become an established and recognisable calendar event in localised gay areas, everywhere; and to empower gay professional people to make connections and friends in a way that is easily affordable and fun. And have a laugh along the way!”
High ambitions for sure, but who knows; they’ve come this far.
These two might just do it.
Village Drinks – social events for gay professionals
