Last orders?
James Lindsay, managing director of iconic queer venue The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, says coronavirus presents one of the UK gay scene’s gravest threats yet
DRINK UP: A busy summer’s evening at The RVT
I think it’s safe to say that the UK’s LGBTQ+ venues are facing their toughest challenge ever.
Over the past decade we have seen the rise of dating and hook-up apps, which have made it much easier to meet partners without leaving home, a huge increase in rents and business rates, plus the development of areas such as Soho and Vauxhall, with many bars and clubs being turned into luxury flats or restaurants. We have survived all this and many venues were flourishing - that was, until March this year when Covid-19 forced all bars and clubs to close.