Forum Birmingham to fully reopen with strict conditions after drugs death

An entertainment venue in Birmingham city centre has been given permission to fully reopen but with strict conditions a month after a man died after allegedly taking drugs there. The decision about Forum Birmingham in Dale End came at a licence review application on Monday, November 25.

Its licence was suspended after three people suspected of taking drugs inside were taken to hospital on Saturday, October 26. One man, a 22-year-old, died.

Following a review on November 7, it was allowed to run four lower-risk events, agreed by police pending the hearing, and on the basis all staff had drug awareness training before they took place.

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At the time, a West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We’ve launched an investigation after a young man died after visiting a Birmingham city centre venue. Three people were taken to hospital on Saturday, October 26 after it was believed they had taken drugs inside The Forum on Dale End.

"Sadly, a 22-year-old man died. We have been working with His Majesty’s Coroner in Birmingham and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course. The family has been informed and has been in contact with investigating officers. Our thoughts remain firmly with them at this difficult time. Two other men aged 20 were also treated at hospital but have since been discharged.

"A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court earlier this week.”

Forum Birmingham posted after the tragedy and said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and friends of a man who we were devastated to learn passed away on Saturday.

“He became unwell in the venue and was helped by our medical team before being taken to hospital by ambulance. We have all been deeply affected by this tragedy as, we know, have many in our wider community.”

At the licensing sub-committee A hearing on Monday, Forum Birmingham and its premises licence holder, Dale End Limited, was allowed to reopen fully, provided it complied with eight conditions. They included having drugs detection dogs at events deemed medium-high or high risk, unless West Midlands Police agreed they were not needed.

Everyone entering the venue, including staff, DJs, promoters and entertainers, must be subject to the search policy and/or risk assessment. There should be regular patrols of the venue during events. And the CCTV control room must be monitored at all times by a ‘competent person’ during medium-high and high risk events.

READ MORE: Tragedy as man, 22, dies and two in hospital after 'taking drugs' inside venue

Other conditions demanded events be assessed and allocated low, medium-low, medium-high or high risk. That rating must then be checked and agreed to by the venue’s security provider.

The venue was also required to have external queue management monitoring. And all staff must be trained on their licensing responsibilities, including drug awareness, to be refreshed every year or sooner.

The licensing sub-committee A hearing was largely held in private. Coun Sam Forsyth (Quinton, Lab) who chaired the hearing, confirmed six of the eight conditions were newly-agreed and two replaced previous conditions but were also agreed. The parties had 21 days to appeal the decision and the conditions will come into force after the appeal period has expired or after an appeal if one is made.

Forum Birmingham said: “Following the conclusion of the licence review process with Birmingham City Council, we are pleased to return to normal operations with immediate effect. The welfare of everyone attending Forum Birmingham is at the centre of everything we do and we appreciate the constructive engagement of West Midlands Police and the licensing authority to build on the range of measures we employ, as appropriate to each event.

“We ask all our patrons join us in minimising the risk of harm from drugs by respecting our policies and enjoying themselves safely.”

• Bradley Kay, 20, from Leicestershire, was charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in the week beginning October 28.