Crane nightclub licence to be reviewed after 28 day suspension comes to an end

Their licence was suspended after the murder of Cody Fisher on boxing day

Police cars outside Crane Nightclub after the death of Cody Fisher
Author: Ella StirlingPublished 24th Jan 2023

A meeting into whether Crane Nightclub will be stripped of its license permanently is being held today (24 January).

It comes after 23-year-old Cody Fisher was stabbed to death at the nightclub in Digbeth, whilst out with friends on boxing day.

The nightclub had its licence suspended for 28 days in December after accusations by West Midlands police that there had been "serious management failings" on the night of the incident.

Officers arriving at the nightclub found a scene of “chaos and evidence of drug use,” the force said in its application for the licence suspension.

One of the sergeants who was at the scene of the incident described how: "There were hundreds of small drugs bags and nitrous gas canisters all over the dance floor. These include the small and the very large nitrous oxide canisters with balloons.”

He also said how staff were "wondering around and all over the place... oblivious to what was happening," when Cody was dying on the floor of the nightclub.

Police submitted a license review application to Birmingham council's licensing sub-committee under section 53a of the Licensing Act.

And on 30th December, 2022, the suspension was approved for 28 days, pending a full hearing to happen within that period.

Tributes left for Cody outside the nightclub

Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Birmingham City Council Licensing Enforcement, and businesses and councillor in the area have all been assisting the review, in the form of letters to the Licensing Committee.

Shaid Ali, a Licensing Enforcement Office, wrote: "The reasons given by WMP for calling for a review of the Premises Licence are in my opinion fully justified.

"The management of the premises and those responsible for the day to day running of the premises appear to have have little regard to the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and for the safety of the public and are clearly not able to operate the premises in accordance with the conditions of the licence or act on the recommendations of medical professionals."

But Councillor Simon Morrall, the Councillor for Frankley Great Park Ward, believes that closing the nightclub will "send a message to criminals that they can get away with it."

In his letter to the Licensing Committee, he wrote that instead of closing the venue, there should be "stricter security in place." He says: "We don't solve problems by applying a sledge hammer, we must work with venues, to ensure lessons are learnt and strict conditions are met."

In response to suggestions that security on the night was inadequate, a statement by the Crane nightclub said: "We have a thorough search policy in place for any and all patrons entering and leaving the venue. This includes the deployment of metal detectors, pat downs, pocket checks, wallet inspections, bag searches and age verification procedures.

"Searches are conducted in accordance with SIA (Security Industry Authority) guidance and best practice. The venue is patrolled by SIA security staff whom responded to the incident as it unfolded on the night.

"The relevant CCTV footage is with West Midlands Police and we are working closely with any requests to assist them with their inquiries.

"On Boxing Day we had an onsite paramedic led team as per our venue policy, who arrived at the scene quickly to administer first aid to the victim until the arrival of the Ambulance Service."

Four men have now been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Cody. 21-year-old Kami Carpenter, 22-year-old Remy Gordon and 18-year-old Reegan Anderson are expected to stand trial in July. One man has been released on bail.

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