Rising debts and sleepless nights: LGBT+ venues at risk of closing during the Covid-19 crisis

Some of London's LGBT+ venues including the The Royal Vauxhall Tavern may have to close their doors for good if they don't get more financial support.

Campaigners told ITV News that venues in Vauxhall pay high business rates which means they don't qualify for grants.

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern hasn't seen a single customer for two months and is struggling during lockdown.

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has benefitted from the government's furlough scheme and local council business rates relief.

But the venue's rateable value is more than £51,000 which means it isn't eligible for a government grant.

Nearby The Eagle is in a similar financial position.

Since 2007 the number of LGBT+ venues in the capital has fallen by more than half.

It's not just money that keeps the LBGT+ venues going it's an entire community of people too.

Both The Eagle and Royal Vauxhall Tavern have joined a campaign called #raisethebar calling on the government to increase the rateable value threshold which would allow more businesses to access a grant.

For now, both venues are trying to make sustainable business plans for an unpredictable future.