Heaven nightclub closed after employee arrested and charged with rape

London’s Heaven nightclub will be closed for 28 days after police suspended its alcohol license on public safety grounds.

The decision to close the famous LGBTQIA+ venue, based in Charing Cross in the city centre, was announced by Westminster Police on Friday 15 November. The suspension is effective immediately.

The move follows allegations that a woman was raped “near the venue” by a member of Heaven’s security staff on November 1. The police statement continues that other staff “allegedly ignored efforts to report the assault.”

A member of the security staff was later arrested and charged with rape and is currently detained in prison.

Heaven nightclub will be closed for up to 28 days with immediate effect following the decision to suspend its alcohol licence.

The decision was made after serious concerns were raised about the venue’s ability to protect its customers.

More details below pic.twitter.com/n5Azw3Ur6A

— Westminster Police | Mid West BCU (@MPSWestminster) November 15, 2024

Westminster Police said there was a previous incident in May when three members of the club’s security team were filmed attacking a customer on the street.

A police statement concluded: “These incidents raise serious concerns about the venue’s ability to meet its obligations to protect its customers, particularly in relation to security.”

The decision to suspend the license was made by Westminster Council’s licensing committee and will remain suspended “until a full hearing has taken place”.

The venue stated on its Instagram account that they were “evaluating our stance on the objection.”

“We are disturbed by this allegation but cannot comment as there is an ongoing criminal investigation. We can only direct our thoughts to the alleged victim. “Our priority is to put in place new procedures to make sure nothing like this happens again and to gain the Council’s trust as we move forward.”

A council spokesman said: BBC: “We recognize the cultural significance of this venue but the committee agreed that this step was necessary to prevent serious crime and protect the public.

“A full licensing hearing will be held in December where both the police and venue management will have the opportunity to present new evidence.

“This case is currently subject to an ongoing police investigation and we cannot comment further at this stage.”

Heaven opened in 1979 and became an influential part of London’s LGBTQIA+ scene, hosting the long-running GAY club night. It was also celebrated for Paul Oakenfold’s acid house nights in the late 80s and is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of ambient house. The Heaven name was also expanded to include clubs in Gran Canaria and Ibiza.

In February, Club reportedly in danger of closure after £320,000 rent increase. The homeowners entered an arbitration dispute with their landlord, The Arch Company, and said they were forced to “go public” with the dispute.

“If you’re wondering why so many venues are closing. If you’re wondering why we’re losing more LGBT Venues. Read a post from club founder and GAY owner Jeremy Joseph: Look no further than HOSTS.

“We have been fighting them for five months and they are not willing to back down,” the post continued. “It is now time to put public pressure on Landlords, this is not just about Paradise, this is about all accommodation venues because if our rent increases, the rents of other venues will also increase because they use other comparable rents to value you in arbitration.”