Campaigners hoping to save an iconic gay venue from closure have said they are “confident” they will be able to raise the funds to buy it from property developers.
Supporters of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, south London’s oldest surviving gay venue, believe they could turn it into a community-owned pub after it was granted listed status by Historic England.
The Tavern has long been a popular haunt for London’s LGBT community. It was once the scene of a riot during a performance by Lily Savage, the drag act created by comedian Paul O’Grady, and more recently appeared in the film Pride.
Rob Holley, spokesman for the Future of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern campaign, told the Standard that since the pub on Kennington Lane was given Grade-II listed status last month, he hoped it would be protected from redevelopment by its new owners, Austrian property company Immovate.
He said community ownership would give the pub “a new lease of life” and help boost profits.
He said: “The exposure that getting it listed gave it has really helped [our campaign].
“Once it is owned by the community it would be completely protected – unless an earthquake happened. Premises that do get community ownership get a new lease of life.
“People would spend more money there. We would hope that Immovate would be open to speaking to us. But we are at a stalemate at the moment.”
He continued: “I have no doubt we would be able to raise the money to buy the venue – I am confident we could do it.”
The campaign to save the Tavern has been backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson and actor Sir Ian McKellen.
Mr Holley, who lives in Walworth, went on to say that gay venues were an integral part of London’s identity.
He said: “These are places where you can express yourself. There are still parts of London where you can’t be open about who you are.”
But the pub’s manager James Lindsay, who formerly co-owned the pub before he sold it to developers Immovate, said he wanted to retain it as a “diverse entertainment venue”.
He said: “[The campaigners] do not own it and they do not hold the lease. The campaign has created a major split in the gay community and I am not sure how that can be repaired.”
A spokesman for Immovate declined to comment on its future plans for the Tavern.
He said: “Currently we are still reviewing the implications of the listing and are assessing various options with regard to the future of RVT.
“As soon as we have made up our mind we will be in a position to comment on your questions.”
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- Vauxhall
- Royal Vauxhall Tavern
- Historic England
- Lambeth Council
- James Lindsay
- Rob Holley