A bar hit by a double stabbing and then a licence suspension has reopened days later offering new tickets for an Aston Villa Fan Park event
Luna Springs in Digbeth
A bar in Birmingham closed down after a double stabbing and a subsequent licensing review has reopened.
Two men were stabbed at Luna Springs in Lower Trinity Street last Saturday (May 9) at around 9pm, promoting West Midlands Police to ask for the venue to have its premises licence reviewed.
That ‘expedited’ or initial licence review took place last Wednesday (May 13) before birmingham -city-council> Birmingham City Council ’s licensing sub-committee.
Read more: Nightclub has licence suspended after stabbings
Superintendent Karl Thomas called for the review saying the premises were ‘associated with serious crime or serious disorder, or both’ with the wounding offences taking place during licensing hours and called for the licence to be suspended.
The licence is held by Venture Battersea Limited, with John Lear listed as the designated premises supervisor.
The committee heard from both sides with Luna Springs submitting a list of conditions it would adhere to to enable it to reopen.
Crowds were urged to leave the Cru2 event at Luna Springs after a double stabbing
The committee, chaired by Cllr Diane Donaldson, decided to suspend the licence as an interim measure, pending a full review of the licence which has to take place within 28 days.
And as a consequence, the Digbeth venue, via promoter 4TheFans, cancelled its Europa League fan park, planned for the date of the final on Wednesday, May 20.
But the committee also said the suspension shall be lifted once additional conditions proposed by Luna Springs’ solicitor and agreed by West Midlands Police had been met by the licence holder to the satisfaction of the police.
Read more : Huge update for Aston Villa fan park after Luna Springs licence suspended
And in a swift about turn, Luna Springs has now confirmed it has reopened within two days of the initial suspension.
And it has put tickets on sale for a new Europa League Fan Zone, after the 4TheFans event was moved to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena (the former National Indoor Arena).
Luna Springs posted on Facebook on Friday and said: “Further to the incident reported on Saturday last week, we are pleased to inform all of our valued patrons that we have worked collaboratively with the authorities to assist them with their investigation and to ensure that all aspects of safety are in place for all of our events.
“We will be trading this weekend as normal.”
The 4TheFans event has moved to Utilita Arena after Luna Springs had its licence suspended(Image: 4TheFans)
In a second post, minutes later, it said: “The Aston Villa Fan Zone at Luna Springs will be going ahead on Wednesday 20 th May. “Please note that any tickets previously purchased through 4TheFans will not be valid for entry at Luna Springs.
“Any ticket enquiries for 4TheFans tickets must be directed to support@4thefans.tv
“Tickets for the Luna Springs Fan Zone will go on sale in due course. Please visit lunesprings.co.uk for more information.”
Those Fan Park tickets now appear to be back pon sale on the Luna Springs website.
Read more: Major police update after double stabbing at Digbeth venue
The eight additional conditions for the venue are:
1. Search and entry policy agreed with police
To include:
Installation of ID scan to be used on entry for specified events on terms agreed with the police;Clear search procedure for specified events including pat down/bag search, use of metal detector wands where relevant and installation of metal detector arch on entry;Requirement that any persons leaving the venue during a specified event shall be required to be searched again on re-entry
2. Premises Licence holder shall ensure new recording requirements
Licensed SIA door staff on duty at premises shall be equipped with fully functioning Body Worn Video (BWV) in accordance with an event risk assessment, capable of recording audio and video in any light condition as per the minimum requirements of the West Midlands Police Licensing Team;All recordings shall be stored for a minimum period of 31 days with date and time stamping andViewing of recordings shall be made available for immediate viewing and subsequent onwards transfer to the Police or authorised officer throughout the preceding 31-day period
3. Incident log be kept and made available on request
It must be completed within 24 hours of the incident and will record the following:
(a) all crimes reported to the venue
(b) all ejections of patrons
(c) any complaints received concerning crime and disorder
(d) any incidents of disorder at the premises
(e) all seizures of drugs or offensive weapons
(f) any faults in the CCTV system, Body Worn Cameras, searching equipment or scanning equipment
(g) any refusal of the sale of alcohol
(h) any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service.
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4. Vulnerability Policy to be implemented by licence holder agreed with police
To include all members of staff being trained on the policy prior to the premises reopening
5. All staff to undertake crime scene management training
This must take place within 14 days or if later prior to commencing work, with a record of training being kept on the premises to be available for inspection by the West Midlands Police Licensing Team
6. DPS or designated member of the venue management team responsible for overseeing the security provision at the premises
7. Premises licence holder to privide police licensing team with an updated monthly trading calendar to risk assess all future events
8. Premises Licence holder shall review and update existing Door Supervisor conditions with West Midlands Police Licensing Team
BirminghamLive has asked West Midlands Police to confirm all the above conditions have been met and also contacted Birmingham City Council and Luna Springs for confirmation of the same and a statement on the latest position, but they have all yet to confirm.