CORRECTION: Tunnel Club on police radar

Police want licence removed at famous Birmingham venue Tunnel Club

Tom Cramp - Local Democracy Reporter | Thursday 7th July 2022 9:34am

CORRECTION: Changed the name of the street to Livery Street.

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A drunk man died after being kicked out of a Birmingham nightclub where he was seen dancing erratically and falling into people, it has been revealed.

The tragedy happened at the Tunnel Club where the man was believed to have taken ‘illicit drugs’ and later died as a result of a medical episode.

The incident, which happened in April, was revealed at a Birmingham licensing committee this week where West Midlands Police said they had ‘no confidence’ in the management of the fabled city venue.

The Birmingham clubbing institution opened its doors back in 2000, but two drug-related incidents have put it firmly on police radar.

Back in March 2022, a 15-year-old girl reported her phone stolen at Tunnel Club on Livery Street and was found by police to have taken drugs. A subsequent sweep of the venue by police found several small drug dealer bags on the floor.

Following this visit by police, the venue agreed to put in place an ID scanner, a sniffer dog, and body cameras for all security staff. But in April 2022, another incident occurred that involved a man being kicked out of the venue for being intoxicated. He later died. 

Police said that no ID scanner was in place at the time of this incident and the man was not searched thoroughly enough. They added that the actions of the licence holder at Tunnel Club ‘fell far short’ of what would be expected, and called for the removal of the club’s license and the Designated Premises Supervisor.

A statement from West Midlands Police reads: “The premises neglected their duty of care to the deceased and failed to deal with a vulnerable person in an appropriate manner. It is clear the premises have failed to implement steps agreed with West Midlands Police to prevent illicit drugs from being available and to ensure underage persons did not enter.”  

Tunnel Club is a mainstay in the Birmingham clubbing scene and has been popular with the city’s revellers for over 20 years. The venue specialises in underground electronic music but also caters for private parties and events.

Tunnel Club was approached for a comment but has not yet provided one.

Birmingham City Council met on Wednesday to discuss the future of the club, however, due to the sensitivity of the case, the meeting was conducted in private. A decision on whether the club will lose its licence is expected within the next five working days.

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