Rehab Warehouse closed after 'risking people's lives'

A nightclub plagued by drugs and links to gang crime has been shut down after concerns it was risking people's lives.



Rehab Warehouse will stay shut until next month at the earliest after a catalogue of incidents, including a woman who collapsed after overdosing on drugs.

Three arrests for possession of Class A drugs were also made within two-and-a-half hours during one evening, while a naked man, believed to be high on drugs, was also seen running around the club completely naked.

Links to a serious organised crime gang had also been uncovered by police, who first raised concerns just eight weeks after the Bishop Street venue opened in January.

And when trouble flared over the May bank holiday weekend, officers called for an urgent review.

At the hearing this morning (Monday) councillors suspended the club's licence until a full review on June 6, when a fresh decision will be made.

In a report going to the city council's licencing sub-committee, Superintendent Claire Bell said: "I have grave concerns about the level of severity of disorder and crime that we are seeing at this premises. It is clearly escalating.

"An immediate concern is the lack of reporting to police for what are incredibly serious incidents.

"Vulnerable people are at risk of significant harm or even death at the premises without immediate intervention."

Committee chair Coun Rachel Lancaster said they heard from both sides before making a decision.

She told the Observer: "It's disappointing because they were only awarded a licence in January and within eight weeks police had already called for a review - there were already 26 conditions on the licence.

"We did not refuse the licence because we don't want a club like that in the city - a club playing that sort of music would be wonderful. The use of Class A drugs was our main concern.

"The message needs to go out that there are powers we can use. Our responsibility is to the public and management need to be up to speed on the use of drugs."

The Observer was awaiting a statement from Rehab Warehouse when going to press.

Party time to support campaign to reopen a troubled Coventry nightspot

About 1,000 people are expected to attend a party to rally support to save a troubled Coventry nightspot.

Hundreds of clubbers have joined a campaign to reopen Rehab Warehouse which was closed last week amid police fears over drug problems at the venue in Bishop Street.

More than 600 tickets have been sold so far for the Save Rehab Warehouse night for dance music fans on June 1 at a venue to be confirmed - with proceeds going towards its legal battle.

More than 1,500 people have also signed a petition calling for a u-turn from Coventry City Council.

“The reaction’s been amazing and it just shows the love people have for the venue so hopfully we can get it back reopened,” co-owner John Dawkins said.

“We have been providing acts in Coventry which no-one else is. We have people travelling here from Manchester and Leicester. We’ve had support from Radio 1 DJs and Mike Skinner from the Streets.

“So we just want to put a party on to celebrate what we’ve done so far – and all the proceeds will go towards paying the barristers.”

It follows a review at the request of West Midlands Police, which said revellers were “at risk of significant harm or even death” at the venue.

It pointed to a string of drug-related and violent incidents and Rehab was shut pending a hearing in mid-June.

DJs to have performed at the venue since it opened in January include Duke Dumont, Radio One’s Zane Lowe, world-renowned club DJ Pete Tong and The Streets’ Mike Skinner.

The venue had four phases of door security including a ‘pat-down’ search and drug sniffer dogs.

John Dawkins, who used to manage city band The Enemy, is majority shareholder owning a 40 per cent stake along with a number of city-based music promoters.

The club has a rolling six month tenancy to use its premises and aimed to replicate other warehouse-style dance music venues in cities such as London and Manchester.

John acknowledges this business model meant it may have been difficult for police to have a single point of contact when communicating over security issues.

“We’ve made mistakes that we’re trying to rectify,” John, 32, added.

“We want to work with police and the council to make this work because the people want it. We understand the police are just doing due diligence. But we’re like bees to honey being a dance music venue, so all the dealers come to us. So it’s a battle for us on the front door as it is.”

Rehab’s monthly Balaeric night has been moved to Carey’s nightclub this month on Sunday, May 26.

Rehab Warehouse given green light to re-open after hearing



REHAB Warehouse will be allowed to re-open, Coventry City Council has ruled.

The nightclub has been closed since last month after police allegations of drug abuse at the venue.

And despite those allegations being repeated during a lengthy hearing earlier today (Thursday), a council licencing committee ruled it could re-open.

The chair of the committee said both sides had made 'powerful' arguments but guarantees made about the future management of the club had swayed the decision.

Conditions have been placed on the new licence although further details are not expected until the next couple of days.

Coun Patricia Hetherton, chair of Coventry City Council’s Licensing Committee, said in a statement: "Of course there are genuine concerns about the previous operation of Rehab, but the committee has acknowledged in their decision that management are now fully aware of the previous failures and how they can rectify them.

"We will work closely with the police and Rehab management to ensure that Rehab offers a safe and enjoyable venue for entertainment – we recognise the importance of a thriving, diverse but ultimate night time economy.

"We want to send out a strong message that Coventry is open for business, as long as people are safe and protected from harm."

She added: "This is not a process that’s been undertaken lightly, but a very serious and complex process. The committee listened to very powerful submissions from both parties – the police and Rehab.

"As a result of detailed submissions and the guarantees made to the committee about the future management of Rehab, we are prepared to give Rehab a chance to prove to the police and ourselves that they are capable of running a safe venue."

Police representatives had said their overriding fear was that "the next overdose will result in death".

Superintendent Claire Bell responded to the decision on behalf of West Midlands Police.

She said: “West Midlands Police today presented evidence to the council’s licensing committee in relation to a Coventry nightclub.

“The committee listened to all of the evidence and decided that the club can continue to trade with new conditions on how they operate.

“We acknowledge their decision and will continue to work hard with the club so that Coventry is an even safer place to enjoy a night out.

“Tackling alcohol and drug fuelled criminality across the city remains a priority for local officers.”