Lambeth Council recently made the RVT an ‘asset of community value’ which gives it a certain level of protection, namely that the community get first right of refusal should it be put up for sale.
However, this does not guarantee its future and I have seen other venues go by the wayside with communities unable to meet asking prices and developers simply able to mothball or go ahead with sale regardless.
That is why I’ve written to Historic England asking them to list the RVT. That would prevent the RVT from being redeveloped as has happened with other LGBT venues across London, many of them turned into flats to cash on prime locations in central London.
A link to my RVT letter can be found here.
There are many reasons why buildings can be considered for listing and you can find the Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings by the Department for Culture Media and Sport here.
The criteria to focus on for me is definitely that of historic interest: “To be of special historic interest a building must illustrate important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural, or military history and/or have close historical associations with nationally important people. There should normally be some quality of interest in the physical fabric of the building itself to justify the statutory protection afforded by listing.”
I am certain that everyone has a story to tell about the RVT and I urge you to write to ask that the RVT is considered for listing.
Please furnish with your experiences, your view on the historical importance over decades of the RVT to the LGBT community and your rationale for saving it for future generations. Please write or email your responses to:
Ms Patience Trevor
Designation Team South
Historic England
1 Waterhouse Square
138 – 142 Holborn
London
EC1N 2ST
Patience.Trevor@HistoricEngland.org.uk
Many thanks for your support – it is important so please take some time out to make a difference
-Cllr Jack Hopkins – Labour Councillor for Oval ward, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Jobs & Growth and Friend of the RVT
