Warehouse to become club venue

Aug 3 2007 By Catherine Lillington, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM'S live music scene is to get a massive boost after planning bosses agreed a bid to transform an inner city warehouse into a new venue.

The old industrial site in Adderley Street, Digbeth, would be able to take crowds of up to 600 to see acts perform on stage. Called Sui Generis the club would be open from 10am to 4am daily.

Councillors said the venue would breathe new life into a beleaguered part of the city's nightlife.

Flames ripped through rockers' favourite Edwards No.8, in Lower Severn Street, in 2006.

In 2004 popular live music venue the Old Railway, in Curzon Street, was demolished as part of the Eastside development. And a year earlier the Fiddle & Bone, in Sheepcote Street, was closed.

The Carling Academy, in Dale End, is also under threat with plans to build shops and apartments, under the £530 million Martineau Gallery development.

The planning committee, which met yesterday, also said the venue would be a valuable addition to culture in the city. Coun Peter Douglas Osborn (Con, Weoley) said: "I recognise this as a cultural asset for the city centre which is essential at the moment."

There was one letter of objection from a nearby business. But there were nine letters in support of the plan in which people said the venue will be a showcase for live music.

Approval for the plans was given provided it meets certain conditions which include matching building materials for a planned extension, with the existing building.

The club, which is expected to take on about 15 staff, has also been told it can only operate within the agreed hours.

The applicant Lee McDonald, of Snead Lane, Walsall, was given a time-limit of three years to convert the warehouse.