Sadiq Khan has called for one of London’s most famous gay venues to be protected from developers.
The Mayor has urged Lambeth council to grant the Royal Vauxhall Tavern special planning designation that would prevent a change of use.
Built in 1863 as a Victorian music hall, the building was last year granted Grade II listed status and counts Sir Ian McKellen, Graham Norton and Paul O’Grady among its supporters. Lambeth also gave it Asset of Community Value status, meaning that if it were sold then residents would have to be given six months to raise the funds to buy it.
The proposals would give a further level of protection and would mean the building, in Kennington Lane, could not be used as anything other than an LGBT+ performance space without approval from the council. It was purchased by Austrian property firm Immovate in a multi-million-pound deal in 2014 and campaigners fear the new owners want to redevelop it.
Praising pressure group RVT Future for its campaign, Mr Khan said: “I urge Lambeth council to do everything it can to help the Tavern to continue to thrive as an LGBT+ destination.”
Amy Lamé, chairwoman of RVT Future, said: “We’re thrilled to have Sadiq’s support and we urge any other friends of the RVT to submit evidence to the council.” Lib Peck, Lambeth council leader, said: “The RVT is too important to be considered simply as real estate asset. We stand ready to do whatever is within our powers to ensure its survival as a key LGBT+ venue.” Immovate was unavailable for comment.
