Southwark Council has announced it is investing £1.5million towards the opening of a new LGBTQ+ venue in Bankside, on the site of the former XXL gay club that closed in 2019.
The funds will be used to fit out the LGBTQ+ space, which will open in 2026 between two railway arches at Bankside Yards.
The space, which will feature a theatre and workspace, will be on the site of XXL, which closed in September 2019 despite a petition urging it to remain open receiving almost 6,000 signatures.
Very proud that Labour Southwark Council is investing in LGBTQ+ services! ️️⚧️
This is a serious investment by the council into an inclusive LGBTQ+ venue, hosting a theatre and workspace, in central London. https://t.co/iRsvzRReT1
— Cllr David Parton (@DavidParton_) January 15, 2025
Councillor Victor Chamberlain (Lib Dem) from Southwark Council wrote on social media platform X: “Borough and Bankside Liberal Democrat councillors secured a deal to protect this LGBTQ+ space when XXL closed.
“I’ve worked with the council and developers to ensure this happens. This is welcome progress, but we need a Southwark LGBTQ+ strategy to support more spaces and businesses.”
Greater London Authority data has shown that more than half of London’s LGBTQ+ venues closed between 2006 and 2022.
Numbers fell from 125 to 50, with venues citing the cost-of-living crisis and rising rents as being among the reasons for closing.
