The sui generis designation had been applied for by the venue’s current operators and Amy Lamé, London’s first Night Czar, in summer 2016. Lambeth Council receiving a huge amount of evidence from the community backing the application. The consultation attracted more than 600 responses which included supporting evidence in the form of affidavits, personal accounts of visits to the site, ticket receipts, photographs and videos.
The sui generis designation now approved by Lambeth Council, confirms the Tavern as a combination of pub, nightclub and performance space. The venue’s special status in a class of its own was confirmed this week by the council.
Councillor Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business and Culture and Councillor in Vauxhall said: “This will help protect the Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s status as a key nightclub and LGBT cultural venue for both Lambeth, and the whole of London.
“It confirms that the building can only be used by law as a cabaret/performance space, nightclub bar with associated use for the rest of the building protecting it from development into private accommodation.
“We are happy as a council to support the protection of this venue and congratulate the RVT Future campaign on their efforts to value public culture over private profit.”
The latest move to preserve the venue’s iconic status follows up on decision in 2014 when Lambeth Council added the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to its register of community assets.
The pub in Spring Gardens off Kennington Lane in Vauxhall has been a cutting edge venue for the last 150-years. Today it is considered an iconic gay venue.
