Illegal club in Birmingham is shut down

Police have closed down an illegal nightclub that’s been linked to a series of violent offences including stabbings and serious assaults.

The club – known as The Red Door – behind Villa Road in Lozells has no planning permission, is not registered as a company and doesn’t have a music licence or permission to sell alcohol.

Police say they've had lots of complaints about disorder from the venue and loud music disturbing neighbours and upsetting young children.

And there have also been several incidents of violence:

• A man was stabbed more than 10 times there during a fight on 31 October

• There was another stabbing inside the illegal club on 18 June that saw a man suffer knife wounds to his leg

• A large disorder on 1 August where glasses were thrown

• Intelligence suggesting the place was used to deal drugs and gang activity

• …and there have been reports of gunshots being heard in the venue

The local neighbourhood team have been working with the council to build a case against venue management and secured a closure order at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Inspector Nick Hill said: “This will come as a huge relief to local residents whose lives have been blighted by the anti-social behaviour and crime this venue attracts.

“Clubs are bound by tight regulations to ensure customers are kept safe, such as security, CCTV and staff training, and disturbance is kept to a minimum for people living nearby.

“The main building was only approved for storage purposes only – but there was also a covered outdoor seating area, toilet block and kitchen. None of it had planning permission.

“We’ve been granted closure for three months initially but we’ll be seeking permanent closure and potential demolition.

“Local police teams are working with our Gangs Unit to actively target anyone we suspect is linked to violence and organised crime. We run regular suppression patrols to disrupt gang activity and operations to target people causing harm in our communities.

A utility company was also called to make the site safe and judged the dodgy wiring at the venue was potentially a risk to life.

Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council, said: “We support this police action because unlicensed premises are, by definition, unregulated and we know there have been some significant concerns over this premises, so hope it shows we can work in partnership to keep our communities safe

“We will continue to work with West Midlands Police to tackle issues relating to illegal and unlicensed activity, anti-social behaviour and public safety and ensure Birmingham’s bars and clubs, as well the city’s streets, are safe for all their visitors.”