Heaven nightclub have issued an update a week after being shut down by police, saying “there is a lot to be considered and addressed”.
The famous LGBTQIA+ venue, which is based in Charing Cross in Central London, had its alcohol licence suspended for 28 days by Westminster Police on November 15 on the grounds of public safety.
The move came after a woman was allegedly raped “in the vicinity of the venue” by a member of Heaven’s security staff on November 1. The police statement continued that other staff then “allegedly ignored her efforts to report the attack”.
A member of security staff has since been arrested and charged with rape, and is currently on remand in prison.
Now, a week after being forced to close, the venue has posted an update on their Instagram page. “A woman has suffered in an appalling & horrific way & my thoughts are with her, and her friends & family who are supporting her,” the message reads. “Even the thought that a member of security could walk a vulnerable person away from Heaven in the way alleged is sickening.”
“There is a lot to be considered & addressed leading up to the full hearing on 6th December as we look to secure the long term future of Heaven. I ask other venues to learn lessons with us from what has happened at Heaven & work together to do all we can collectively to try and ensure this never happens again.”
“Please do not post hate on social media directed at the managers & staff of Heaven, they too are horrified by what has happened,” it continued. “We need to work together with people of authority, City Hall, the Met Police & councils to make London somewhere all people feel safe, confident & welcome at night.”
Westminster Police note that there was a previous incident in May when three members of the club’s security team were filmed assaulting a customer in the street.
“These incidents raise serious concerns about the venue’s ability to fulfil its obligations to protect its customers, in particular in relation to safeguarding,” the police statement concluded.
The decision to suspend the licence was made by Westminster Council’s licensing committee, and it will remain suspended “until a full hearing can take place”.
In response to the original news, the venue posted on their Instagram that they were “considering our position with regard to an appeal.”
“We are sickened by this allegation but can’t comment as it’s an ongoing criminal investigation. We can only send our thoughts to the alleged victim. Our priority is to put new procedures in place to make sure nothing like this can happen again & gain the confidence of the Council as we move forward”.
Heaven opened in 1979 and became an influential part of London’s LGBTQIA+ scene, hosting the long-running club night G-A-Y. It was also celebrated for Paul Oakenfold’s acid house nights in the late ‘80s and is sometimes credited as the birthplace of ambient house. The Heaven name has also been extended to clubs in Gran Canaria and Ibiza.
In February, the club was reported to be facing closure after a rent increase of £320,000. The owners entered into an arbitration dispute with their landlord, The Arch Company and say they were forced “to go public” with the dispute.