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Chick-fil-a’s first UK restaurant is set to close following backlash from the LGBT+ community.
It comes after LGBT+ groups boycotted the opening of the restaurant, over comments made by the American fast food chain’s CEO about the LGBT+ community.
A spokesperson for the chain told the BBC that “the right thing to do” was to not extend the restaurant’s lease beyond the “six-month pilot period”.
In 2012 CEO Dan Cathy reportedly said on US radio programme, The Ken Coleman Show, that “defining marriage differently to the bible was akin to shaking a fist at God”.
According to the Evening Standard, the chain has also been accused of donating money to groups seen as “hostile” to LGBT+ rights. Reading Pride said these included charities such as Marriage & Family Foundation, the Georgia Family Council, and Exodus International.
Reading Pride said it was “staunchly opposed” to Chick-fil-a setting up shop in the The Oracle, Reading, and added the chain’s ethos and moral stance “goes completely against [its] values and that of the UK”.
Of the boycott, Reading Pride said: “We respect everyone’s freedom to eat where they choose, however, we ask the LGBT+ community (including allies) to boycott the chain in Reading.”
However, a spokesperson for Chick-fil-A told, said at the time: “We hope our guests in the UK will see that Chick-fil-A is a restaurant company focused on serving great food and hospitality, and does not have a social or political agenda.
“We are represented by more than 145,000 people from different backgrounds and beliefs, and we welcome everyone.”
