The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is an iconic venue. It was the place where I first went to when I came to London, now many years ago, and I quickly became a regular. I remember well sitting at the back of the artistes changing room watching Lilly Savage hold court with the adoring fans. My best friend and I (sadly he didn’t survive the last pandemic) sat there as we basked in the spotlight of Savage´s immense presence. I remember the numerous occasions I spent at Sports Day, with that year´s beau on my arm. The long Sundays that started at the RVT, then went on to the Market Tavern (now closed) and then back again to the RVT and then back again to the Market Tavern and then, it becomes a blur.
But not all my nights there were so pleasurable. I remember being locked in for our own safety when it was being attacked by a mob of hooligans who tried to smash their way in. It was very scary as the assault on the venue went on for some time. I also remember the police turning up and getting heavy with us, while wearing protective gloves because they were afraid that they might get HIV. We really shouldn’t forget how vital venues like that were, at a time when the outside world wasn’t so accepting of queer people.
With what´s going on at the moment we shouldn’t take anything for granted, and we must treat the Royal Vauxhall Tavern like the national queer treasure it is. With so many venues having closed over recent years, the current pandemic threatens to finish off the remaining venues unless we act quickly and support them now. The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is one venue that we must fight hard for in order to keep it open, so that young queer people can look back in forty years time with the fond memories of a life lived!
James Lindsay – CEO/Managing Director – has set up a go fund me page in the latest bid to save the RVT as a queer space, and he has the following to announce:
During the lockdown we have received many messages of support from performers, promoters and our loyal customers, many of whom have asked if they can donate to the upkeep and running costs and help to keep our much loved venue safe.
The RVT is a family of talented artists, promoters, very loyal customers and invaluable staff. Over the last eight weeks we have worked hard to keep The RVT alive at the forefront of our community with social media and virtual performances from many of our performers, DJs and promoters. We do not want to lose focus as London’s most iconic LGBT+ venue, London’s Best Cabaret Award Winner and listed in Time Out as one of London’s top 50 iconic locations.
We are a small independent company that has gone from being a vibrant cabaret, performance and club venue to zero income overnight. Since 20 March the only financial support we have received from the Government, City Hall, Local Authority or our landlord is relief on business rates, and we do not meet the criteria set by the Government for the £25,000 grant that some smaller venues are eligible for.
We are still having to pay all our running costs, which are about £25,000 a month while we are forced to remain closed, including rent to our landlord, they will not consider any change to the rent structure. When we do reopen it is likely to be with severe restrictions on numbers, which means our income will be greatly reduced going forward.
Therefore we have decided to set up a Go Fund Me page so that people who want to and are able to make a contribution, can now do so. All monies donated will be put towards our high operating costs and the fabric upkeep of the building. We want to continue to provide a truly diverse platform and range of LGBTQ+ events with all our wonderful associated artists. No donations will be used for staff wages as the staff have been furloughed under the government job retention scheme.
James Lindsay, RVT CEO/Managing Director says: “The team here are determined to make sure that The RVT continues to be a safe space for every member of the LGBTQ+ community and a place that supports talent of every kind regardless of gender, race, ability, or age.”
Thank you for all your financial support and very kind comments.
James Lindsay – CEO/Managing Director
John Kerr – Operations Director
and all the team at RVT
