London’s oldest LGBT+ venue, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, needs your help to survive coronavirus
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in south London on July 18, 2015. (NIKLAS HALLE’N/AFP via Getty Images)
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London’s oldest surviving LGBT+ venue where Freddie Mercury and Princess Diana once went boozing, is crowdfunding for its survival.
The iconic South London venue has a £50,000 fundraising target.
Writing on the fundraising page, James Lindsay, the RVT’s CEO and managing director, said: “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.”
Please share. Please support the RVT.
Donate here: https://t.co/dty2kA72bP pic.twitter.com/8lKDXK7Xa7
— Royal Vauxhall Tavern (@thervt) May 15, 2020
The legendary gay bar is where Labour’s Emily Thornberry declared herself a “gay icon”, after DJing at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in 2016 to support the election campaign of London’s mayor Sadiq Khan.
Built in 1863, the Vauxhall venue is Grade II listed has stood proud for more than 150 years.
“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 fundraiser says.
Outlining that the only financial support the RVT is eligible for is reduced business rates and staff on the government’s furlough scheme, the fundraiser says that the landlord who owns the building will not consider reducing the rent while the bar is closed.
“Without spaces like @thervt we won’t get the next generation of queer artists in London”.
I loved doing The Suite(212) podcast with Juliet Jacques this week. In it I speak about the impact RVT had on my career. Please donate to keep RVT alive: https://t.co/DQR42iCrF6 pic.twitter.com/0GKBch8Mbf— Travis (@travisalabanza) May 15, 2020
I can't imagine London without the vibrant queer brilliance of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, our most iconic #LGBTQ space.
If you can support them, do. https://t.co/eyjose7kSV— Matthew Hodson (@Matthew_Hodson) May 15, 2020
“When we do reopen it is likely to be with severe restrictions on numbers, which means our income will be greatly reduced going forward,” it adds.
“Therefore we have decided to set up a GoFundMe 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. “
