The RVT, the UK’s oldest LGBTQ pub, has been made a listed building today protecting it against radical redevelopment.

According to RVT Future it’s the first building in the country listed for its significance to LGBTQ heritage.

RVT Future chair Amy Lamé, co-founder and host of long-running RVT night Duckie, said: “The listing is a fantastic milestone for our community and a victory against the odds for our beloved pub.

“We look forward to continuing our work to ensure the RVT remains a vibrant space of LGBTQ community and culture for generations to come. The RVT now joins New York’s Stonewall Inn, home of the gay liberation movement, in being officially recognised for its contribution to social history. We thank our many, many supporters from across London and further afield.”

RVT Future was set up after the Tavern’s sale last year to Immovate, an Austrian property development company. According to RVT Future, Immovate recruited consultants to try to block the listing and allegedly declined to meet the RVT community or reveal its plans for the site.

We invite everyone who cherishes the Tavern to join us at the bar to celebrate!

RVT Future campaign manager Rob Holley, promoter of RVT night Push The Button, added: “We’re chuffed to bits but our work isn’t finished! We’re now calling on Immovate to finally talk to us, so we can all ensure this special venue continues to serve the community.

“If Immovate don’t think they can make the Tavern work as a listed pub, we invite them to open discussions about a community buy-out.

“Sell it to a group of people who actually have faith in the commercial viability of this phenomenal venue. We have the means to do this and some exciting ideas about how the RVT could be improved for everybody. Meanwhile, we invite everyone who cherishes the Tavern to join us at the bar to celebrate!”

You can find out more details on the RVT Future group at their website www.rvt.community. And make sure you go to vauxhalltavern.com to buy tickets to their fantastic events.