What is RVT Future?

Ben Walters explains why his working with a group of locals, promoters and performers to protect the Royal Vauxhall Tavern

Last week saw the launch of a new campaign, RVT Future. Coming in the wake of the shock closure of the Black Cap, it aims to ensure a thriving future for the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, believed to be the UK’s oldest LGBTQ pub.

The campaign includes people from regular RVT nights like Bar Wotever, Big Bingo Show, Duckie, Eurofest, Hot Fuzz, the LipSinkers, Meat and Push the Button, as well as performers such as David Hoyle, Scottee, Boogaloo Stu, Harry Clayton-Wright, the Pink Singers and Gareth Joyner. Others on board include the writer of Pride, Stephen Beresford, the playwright Neil Bartlett and (full disclosure!) myself.

RVT Future is concerned because of the Tavern’s sale last year to a property developer that has so far declined to speak publicly about its intentions for the site.

The campaign hopes to work constructively with the owner, if it’s willing to engage. And we fully support the staff and management at the Tavern, whose passion and dedication help make it such a great place, and whose hard work and good intentions are not in question.

The campaign also knows how vital it is that the RVT can continue to operate as a commercially successful enterprise. There’s no point in smothering a venue in love only to end up suffocating it.

So far since the sale, it’s been business as usual at the Tavern – perhaps better than usual in some ways, with renovations made and new links to local charities. These are very welcome moves. The pub can only expect to thrive if it remains engaged with the community and commercially viable.

“It’s business as usual at the Tavern – perhaps better than usual in some ways, with renovations made and new links to local charities.”

But there’s a difference between a site being commercially viable and its owners seeking the most profitable possible use for it. And with the London property market the way it is, not least in Vauxhall, that probably wouldn’t mean a gay pub and cabaret venue – however well managed and supported by the community.

The fate of the Black Cap shows that when there are questions about the long-term future of an iconic venue whose owners won’t talk to the community, it’s just too risky to wait until the axe falls before starting to act.

The RVT’s queer history dates back to the 1940s and has persisted through the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the AIDS crisis and attempts to turn it into a backpacker hostel and a shopping centre.

When the police raided the Tavern in 1984, wearing rubber gloves because they were afraid of catching HIV, Lily Savage started a riot. When Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett took Princess Diana out for the night – dressed as a boy – they came to the Tavern.

RVT Future has already secured asset of community value (or ACV) status for the Tavern. This means the council recognises its importance to the LGBTQ community and would be unlikely to allow a change of use. It also means that, if the venue is put up for sale again, the community gets six months to put together a bid at market value – although the owner wouldn’t have to accept it.

RVT Future has also asked English Heritage to make the Tavern a listed building – the first in the nation to be designated for its LGBTQ heritage. I researched and wrote the 15,000-word application, and was deeply moved by the community lineage I discovered.

A listing would be a great way to promote knowledge of the Tavern’s value, and would make it harder to knock down. It would not prevent alterations to the building required to ensure its commercial viability in line with its heritage.

We all know times change. But some things stay the same. Like our need for places of safety, friendship, art and joy that offer the freedom to be ourselves and express ourselves. Yet, week-by-week, they are disappearing from London.

RVT Future wants to help make sure the Royal Vauxhall Tavern remains.

For more information about RVT Future, see rvt.community and @RVTfuture

 

Advertisement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here