City council revokes nightclub license after fatal stabbing
A Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committee has revoked a nightclub's license in light of a fatal stabbing that took place at the venue.
The Crane in Digbeth, Birmingham, has been closed since December 2023 after a 23-year-old man was fatally stabbed on the dance floor.
Birmingham resolved to suspend the venue's license pending review on 30 December 2022, following an application from West Midlands Police (WMP) for an expedited review of the nightclub's license under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006) following the incident.
In its application for the review, WMP said it was concerned about how a knife could get inside the premises and suggested that staff were poorly trained.
Council documents show that the venue’s owners did not oppose the police’s request for a review and suspension of the license.
Chairing the council's Licensing Sub-Committee B yesterday (24 January), Cllr Diane Donaldson announced that councillors moved to revoke The Crane's license.
The decision came following representations by Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Birmingham City Council Licensing Enforcement, as well as the police and neighbouring business owners.
Police reported evidence of drugs being used within the premises to the council, highlighting an officer's account of arriving at the scene to find "hundreds of small drugs bags and nitrous oxide cannisters all over the dancefloor".
The same officer described a "scene of chaos" and noted that staff were seen to be "wandering around all over the place" like they were "oblivious" to what was happening.
The committee also heard evidence from a licensing enforcement officer who supported the police's position, alleging that the zero-tolerance condition on drug use in the premisses license was not being taken seriously or being enforced by the management of the venue.
The interim suspension imposed in December remains in place pending the determination of any appeal.
The criminal investigation into the stabbing is ongoing.
The Crane posted a statement to its social media immediately following the incident which said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened that a man lost his life last night as our Boxing day event came to a close. Our thoughts are with the victim, and his family and friends.”
It added: “We are working closely with West Midlands Police as they investigate this crime.”
The Crane has been approached for a comment on the council’s decision to revoke its license.
Adam Carey
