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LGBT venue Royal Vauxhall Tavern gets listed status | LGBT venue Royal Vauxhall Tavern gets listed status |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A well known gay entertainment venue in London has been given Grade II listed status. | |
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Lambeth has been listed for its architectural interest and its historic and cultural significance as an "enduring symbol of the confidence of the gay community". | The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Lambeth has been listed for its architectural interest and its historic and cultural significance as an "enduring symbol of the confidence of the gay community". |
The group that campaigned for it said it was a "fantastic milestone". | The group that campaigned for it said it was a "fantastic milestone". |
But the pub's chief executive said the status could signal its "death as an entertainment venue". | But the pub's chief executive said the status could signal its "death as an entertainment venue". |
First built in 1860, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) hosts alternative, transgender and drag performances and saw Paul O'Grady perform as Lily Savage. | |
The listing is the first of its kind for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) venue and means its owners must apply for consent before making changes that might affect its special interest. | The listing is the first of its kind for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) venue and means its owners must apply for consent before making changes that might affect its special interest. |
But the RVT's chief executive, James Lindsay, said he had lost about £60,000 of his own money running the venue and the decision to list it was "disappointing" as the RVT in its current form was "not commercially viable". | But the RVT's chief executive, James Lindsay, said he had lost about £60,000 of his own money running the venue and the decision to list it was "disappointing" as the RVT in its current form was "not commercially viable". |
He said plans to increase the current 380-capacity and modernise the venue would now have to be put on hold. | He said plans to increase the current 380-capacity and modernise the venue would now have to be put on hold. |
"I'll do what I can to continue to trade. What is potentially at risk is the whole history of what it was all about - the fringe culture and people coming through and getting their breaks. We have to question whether that will continue," he said. | "I'll do what I can to continue to trade. What is potentially at risk is the whole history of what it was all about - the fringe culture and people coming through and getting their breaks. We have to question whether that will continue," he said. |
But the listing has been welcomed elsewhere. | But the listing has been welcomed elsewhere. |
Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: "Not only of architectural interest, the venue has a long-standing historic role as a symbol of tolerance and alternative entertainment... I hope that it continues to be filled with laughter and joy." | Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: "Not only of architectural interest, the venue has a long-standing historic role as a symbol of tolerance and alternative entertainment... I hope that it continues to be filled with laughter and joy." |
Amy Lame, chairwoman of the RVT Future group that campaigned for the listing, said: "The listing is a fantastic milestone for our community and a victory against the odds for our beloved pub. | Amy Lame, chairwoman of the RVT Future group that campaigned for the listing, 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." | "We look forward to continuing our work to ensure the RVT remains a vibrant space." |
Campaign manager Rob Holley added that he hoped the listed status would stop any potential plans to redevelop the site for housing, a growing trend in London. |
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