Rally held to save Bethnal Green Working Men's Club

Dozens of protesters have gathered at a rally outside an LGBT-friendly venue at risk of closure in east London.

The owners of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (BGWMC) wish to sell the club at the earliest opportunity, according to the rally's organisers, who say the programming team has been threatened with eviction.

Equity, the actor's union, says it is in "constructive dialogue with the owners to prevent the closure of live performance" at the venue where some scenes from the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer were filmed.

"The potential loss of yet another London venue for queer nightlife is devastating and represents a significant loss of work for performers in the drag and cabaret sector," a spokesperson for Save Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club campaign said.

More than half of London's LGBTQ+ venues closed between 2006 and 2022, Greater London Authority data shows.

London Assembly member Elly Baker said: “It’s an absolute tragedy that the venue is facing closure... with the loss of work particularly that it's going to bring to performers at the start of their journey."

Equity said in a statement: "We are seeking assurances that any sale will guarantee the continuation of BGWMC as an LGBTQ+ performance space.

"We are also seeking a guarantee that the community of performers and punters will be given the opportunity to fundraise and buy the venue in shared ownership.

"This would allow BGWMC to continue a more than 100-year history as a member-owned club."

A spokesperson for the London mayor's office said: “Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club is a much-loved cultural and LGBTQI+ event programme, and it’s hugely concerning that it is facing closure.

"The programme plays an important role in our capital’s creative ecosystem, providing a platform for up-and-coming and established performers, and the venue is also a popular location for TV, film and fashion shoots."

They added: "City Hall’s Culture and Community Spaces at Risk team is working closely with the events programme team to provide support and advice.”

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