The closure of LGBTQ+ venues in London is an epidemic. In the past few years, London has lost a large number of its queer venues, and we could be about to lose another. Under threat this time is gay pub The Victoria in Walthamstow, which is in danger of closure following redevelopment plans announced by Waltham Forest Council.
The venue describes itself as a “Great pub on Hoe Street In Walthamstow, running loads of regular events and serving great beer!”
The traditional gay pub regularly hosts evenings of cabaret, drag and karaoke, and holds a dear place in the hearts of Walthamstow’s gay residents. In a Facebook post on the 30th of December, the pub urged supporters to come down and rally behind the venue at a council meeting. In the post, they shared:
“They are trying to close our LGBTQI Bar down!
“If you would like to see The Victoria stay as a pub come & share your views with the council, who are trying to close us down, at Welcome to the Forest Bar on Friday 10th Jan.”
Just last year, famed East London leather fetish bar The Backstreet was saved from re-development when the council for Tower Hamlets saw it’s value. According to The Guardian, the council for Tower Hamlets has decided that getting rid of the gay fetish club would “harm the long-term provision of a nightclub that serves the LGBT+ community”.
If the efforts to save The Victoria are unsuccessful, it will join Madame Jojo’s, the Black Cap, The Joiner’s Arms, Barcode Soho, Kazbar, the Queen’s Head, Candy Bar, the Oak Bar, Green Carnation andy many others who have been forced to close their doors.
Neighbouring venue Mirth closed on the 5th of January, but The Victoria is still trading as usual.
Stay in touch with QX Magazine on Twitter
Check us out on Instagram
QX Magazine App Updated: At iOS & Android Download FREE. Improved graphics. Convenient digital magazine experience. App and website integration. Hot spots open websites ‘on the page’, without leaving the App or the page you’re on. Click on any url to find out more. Layered pages (adverts and editorial) let you drill down and find information while still on the page. Click ‘done’ to leave any website and you’re still on the page. Open the QX website in the app to access venue info pages. Postcode links open in google maps. Register if you want free news email in your in box. Skip if you don’t.
READ MORE related to gay pub closure here:
