London nightclub Heaven will re-open tomorrow after license suspension

Westminster councillor Maggie Carman, who delivered the decision, agreed with the Met Police that Heaven was “associated with serious crime” and said “the horrific and traumatic incident suffered by the victim” was a vital part of the investigation.

She added: “There has been clear evidence of a change in the general management of the premises. The premises licence holder has also been working in partnership with the Met Police.

They also recognised the importance of Heaven to the LGBTQIA+ community, which was another major reason why the venue was allowed to reopen.

“The police recognise the importance of Heaven to the gay community in London and further afield. Police have never sought the permanent closure of this nightclub,” said the Met Police’s lawyer Gary Grant.

“What the police have done unapologetically is sought to ensure that the sort of incidents which have led us here will not happen again and the sort of risks to the vulnerable people in that queue are reduced.”

Heaven previously said that there was “a lot to be considered & addressed” over the incident. “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.”

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.