THE NIGHTCLUB where Stratford Town footballer Cody Fisher was fatally stabbed will remain closed for good.
Birmingham City Council has permanently removed the operating licence of The Crane nightclub in Digbeth, which was the scene of the killing of the 23-year-old school sports coach on Boxing Day.
West Midlands Police told councillors on Tuesday (January 24) that the nightclub’s ongoing operation posed “terrifying risks” to patrons. There was evidence, police said, of widespread drug use and “inadequate” security measures.
Officers responded to the fatal stabbing of Mr Fisher at just after midnight on Boxing Day.
A postmortem report revealed the Studley resident had died of a stab wound.
The club’s licence had been suspended for 28 days after an interim meeting in December, but a Birmingham City Council licencing committee ordered the licence to be revoked after an application by the police force.
Licence holder Digital Arts Media Ltd can appeal, but will not be allowed to reopen while any appeal is considered.
Gary Grant, a barrister representing the police force, said there was an “inadequate search regime” which not only allowed a knife inside the club but also drugs, with “blatant” use of illicit substances leading to three people needing treatment for an “overdose of one drug or another”.
Mr Grant continued: “Within just over three months, this venue is here facing a summary review, triggered by an individual being murdered inside the club.
“That, in itself, gives rise to rather terrifying risks involved in the operation of this venue.
“The licence-holder, we say, failed to uphold the highest standards of management operation of this venue.”
Nicholas Leviseur, barrister for the licence-holder, said revoking the licence would be inappropriate given the venue’s overall operational record.
Tribute was paid to Mr Fisher at Stratford Town FC’s first match back following his death.
Prior to kick off against Kings Langley there was a minute’s silence and the retiring of Mr Fisher’s no. 23 shirt, followed by the halting of play for a minute’s applause in the 23rd minute of the match.
And more than 22,000 have to date also signed a petition aimed at making going out safer following Mr Fisher’s death.
The petition Cody’s Law seeks to make metal detectors and bleed kits a lawful requirement for clubs and event venues.
Visit www.change.org/p/cody-s-law-make-metal-detectors-and-bleed-kits-law-for-clubs-and-events to sign the petition.
Three men, Reegan Anderson, 18, Kami Carpenter, 21, and Remy Gordon, 22, have been charged with Mr Fisher’s murder.
A trial is scheduled for July.
