DJs and producers ask for help to #SaveTheRainbow.
Birmingham staple The Rainbow Venues has permanently lost its license to operate following a recent drug death in the club, Resident Advisor reports.
The venue’s license was revoked by the Birmingham City Council yesterday who cited the death of 19-year-old clubgoer Michael Trueman during a Halloween event as the reason. It was the second drug-related death at The Rainbow Venues in two years.
“There are around 3,000 licensed premises in Birmingham and this is the only venue which has suffered drug related deaths. The most stringent measures are in place yet drugs are still being consumed inside the venue,” said PC Abdool Rohomon in a statement representing West Midlands Police. He also cited evidence that a 15-year-old boy was admitted to the venue, which the club denies ever happened.
“There needs to be a universal, collaborative approach to the UK’s drug problem. Lets educate and not be so quick to revoke licenses that practice the correct policies,” The Rainbow Venues operators wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. “As operators we refuse to work with this prehistoric attitude. This is a modern day problem. We need to wake up and work together collectively to make a difference or cost more lives.”
The closure has already been compared to Fabric, who had their license revoked last year and successfully appealed the decision. The Rainbow Venues’ operators have been given 21 days to appeal.
DJs have already begun a campaign of support for the The Rainbow Venues with some arguing that the decision will do nothing to curb drug use in clubs. Read some statements from artists below.
. I can proudly say I am one of @rainbowvenues longest resident DJs since 2009. Without Rainbow legacy you would not have Digbeth as we now know it.
I have some amazing NEW spaces to show you Birmingham :-)— Tom Shorterz (@Shorterz) November 28, 2017
So they have taken away @rainbowvenues licence in Birmingham bc someone died in the club. This isn’t going to stop people taking drugs in raves. There needs to be another, more sensible solution. #RainbowLicence
— TwEats Everything® (@eats_everything) November 28, 2017
My hometown club, my favourite club in the entire world and the club where my DJ’ing journey began… This isn’t the end. #SaveTheRainbow https://t.co/vDzBh9jDGi
— Hannah Wants (@hannah_wants) November 29, 2017
It’s a direct attack on culture instead of encouraging testing, safe practice and education. Disgusted with this. Everybody get behind this amazing venue. #SaveTheRainbow https://t.co/zJp1aVv6Eh
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceDJ) November 29, 2017
Absolutely shocking news about the rainbow venues!! This place has put Birmingham back on the map as one of the best venues in the country, I hope that everyone pulls together and deals with this the same way as the fabric situation 🌈
— Chris Lorenzo (@Lorenzosbeats) November 28, 2017
