Council supports campaign to protect LGBT+ venue

Tower Hamlets Council has said it will only support the use of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (BGWMC) as a cultural venue, endorsing a campaign to protect the Grade II Listed Building from property developers.

BGWMC, which has an LGBT+ focus, has been closed since July after its owners – made up of members of the so-called Boro Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club club – indicated an intention to sell it.

While the club is yet to be put on the open market, the Boro have told performer union Equity that it will be “imminent”.

In a letter to Equity, which has been backing a campaign by Friends of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, the council said: “Any proposed development which would not retain the existing cultural venue (along with its important LGBT+ focus) would not be supported.”

Nick Keegan, variety organiser at Equity, said while the union welcomed the statement, the club “remains at risk”.

“As has happened to so many other LGBT+ venues, such as the Joiners Arms, the biggest danger the club faces now is being bought by a developer as an investment and then being kept closed and allowed to fall into a derelict state for years to come.”

He is calling upon the council to take further action to buy the venue and lease it back to the community.

The Friends hold the Asset of Community Value status on the building, which means they have a community right to bid and six months to fundraise for ownership if the club goes on the market.

Tower Hamlets Council said: “From the range of evidence available to the public online, along with representations submitted and internal records, it appears that the lawful use of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club is as a performance venue, nightclub and members club … It is clear and common knowledge that the site is a cultural venue. It is also well known that the site has become a key LGBT+ night-time space in London.

“If a proposed development did not retain the existing cultural venue, then it would adversely impact on race, age, gender reassignment and sexual orientation protected characteristic groups, which would further weigh against such a proposal from a council perspective.”