The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has been saved from development and given a Grade II listing in a victory for activists and supporters including Sir Ian McKellen. “You can’t mess with Gandalf!”
Campaigners are celebrating after Britain's oldest gay venue has become the first in the country to be given Grade II-listed status for its contribution to LGBT history.
RVT Future / Via rvt.community
South London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which has been hosting LGBT performers and customers since the 1940s, and where Freddie Mercury once smuggled Princess Diana inside in male drag, has been awarded the status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
The Tavern's famous kidney-shaped bar, its curved Victorian front, and its totemic position in queer nightlife as a haven for drag and alternative performance have been secured.
The landmark decision came as a result of a high-profile campaign over the last year to protect the venue from attempts to sell or redevelop it. Paul O'Grady, who made his name there in 1980s as his alter ego Lily Savage, Graham Norton, and Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen have all supported the campaign.
The rescue bid, RVT Future, was set up after the pub was sold in 2014 to Immovate, a property development company based in Austria. Campaigners claim Immovate attempted to block the application for listing status and "declined to meet the RVT community or reveal its plans for sale".
The Sun reports on Princess Diana's visit.
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern / Via rvt.community
The historic ruling comes just 10 weeks after New York's Stonewall Inn, site of the Stonewall riots that sparked the modern LGBT rights movement in 1969, was granted landmark status – meaning that it too is protected from development or demolition.
In a statement, Tracey Crouch, heritage minister, said: "I am thrilled to be able to list the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as Grade II – the iconic hub in the heart of London is of huge significance to the LGB&T community. Not only of architectural interest, the venue has a longstanding historic role as a symbol of tolerance and alternative entertainment."
She added: "I am delighted the listing will preserve the history of this venue for future generations to enjoy – I hope that it continues to be filled with laughter and joy."
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