Britain’s ‘roughest nightclub’ operating behind hidden ‘Red Door’ is shut down
A venue dubbed “Britain’s roughest nightclub” has finally be shut down by police.
The Red Door in Birmingham had been linked to a series of violent offences including stabbings, assaults, drug-dealing and gang activity.
But it had somehow evaded police and was operating illegally for several months in a premises tucked away down an alleyway.
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It became well known locally as being a haven for gangsters.
One man was stabbed around ten times during a fight on October 31 last year, while another was knifed in the leg on June 18.
Police say the place was used to deal drugs, reports of gunshots had been heard from inside and several fights involving glasses being thrown had erupted at the club.
![The infamous Red Door nightclub has now been sealed up by police](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27767615.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_SWNS_ROUGHEST_NIGHTCLUB_001.jpg)
(Image: West Midlands Police / SWNS.COM)
The venue had no planning permission, was not registered as a company and did not have a music licence or permission to sell alcohol, either.
West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council built a case against the management and secured a closure order at Birmingham Magistrates Court this week.
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.
![Police finally shut the illegal site down after months of chaos](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27767616.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_SWNS_ROUGHEST_NIGHTCLUB_003.jpg)
(Image: West Midlands Police / SWNS.COM)
“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.
Police confirmed that 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.
![It doesn't exactly look like the nightclub you'd go to willingly](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27767614.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_SWNS_ROUGHEST_NIGHTCLUB_002.jpg)
(Image: West Midlands Police / SWNS.COM)
Councillor 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.”
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