London gay bars fading

Members of London's LGBT community enjoy an evening out at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in south London. London is one of the world's most gay-friendly cities, and many LGBT people feel welcome in mainstream establishments. Many gay people are frequenting mainstream venues amid an atmosphere of greater tolerance. [Photo/Agencies]

A Victorian circular pub featuring classical columns, a wooden bar and a stage draped with red curtains, the tavern is billed as Britain's oldest LGBT pub.

Its advocates cite reports of drag acts here－female impersonation shows－as far back as the 1880s.

The venue was sold to developers last year and is now under threat of closure, according to campaigners who are fighting for it to be protected as a listed historic building.

The developers, Immovate, say they want to keep the pub open but argue that it is a loss-making business that only survives because they do not charge any rent on the property.

They warn that a listing－backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson and actor Ian McKellen-would only make things worse by imposing higher insurance premiums on the venue.

"When developers talk about commercial viability, what they really mean is maximum profit," countered Ben Walters of RVT Future, the campaign to keep the venue open.

"For any site in central London in 2015, maximum profit is not going to come from operating as a gay pub, however successful. It's going to come from being developed as flats and retail."