Bar owner abused over i-site's gay label

Detail from the Dunedin i-site website.

A Dunedin publican says he fears for his safety after his bar was labelled as a gay establishment by the city council's i-Site Visitor Centre.

Inch Bar owner Jon Simcock said the abuse started two years ago when the bar was first promoted as gay by the tourist website, the Otago Daily Times reported.

Last week customers and Mr Simcock were abused and called "homo faggots" by a passing motorist.

The abuse had been increasing, Mr Simcock said.

"I'm just waiting for the day someone burns the place down or I get beaten up."

The premises had never been a gay bar, he said.

Dunedin City Council customer services general manager Grant Strang said an email had been sent to staff advising the Inch Bar was not a gay bar, he said yesterday.

"I apologised profusely on behalf of council and hope the matter is now resolved," Mr Strang said.

- NZPA