WARNING: This article contains accounts of sexual violence that may be upsetting to some readers.

London nightclub Heaven has been closed after one of its security staff was accused of rape.

The historic venue’s license was suspended for up to 28 days after a member of security staff was accused of rape. Currently, he is in preventive detention, reports The Guardian.

Police successfully applied to Westminster Council to suspend the nightclub’s license pending a full hearing. The licensing committee heard that a woman was allegedly raped in the vicinity of the venue in the early hours of November 1, and other staff then ignored her efforts to report the attack.

“Following a request from the Metropolitan Police and taking into account evidence from both the police and the operator, the council’s licensing committee has decided to suspend Heaven’s license for 28 days,” a Westminster Council spokesman said .

The spokesman continued: “This follows a report of an alleged rape made to police on Friday 1 November.

“A full licensing hearing will take place in December where both the police and venue management will have the opportunity to present new evidence. This case is currently the subject of an ongoing police investigation and we are unable to comment further at this stage.”

Heaven’s owner, Jeremy Joseph, wrote in a statement on Instagram that the venue is “sick” of the allegation, adding that they cannot comment further due to the ongoing criminal investigation.

“Our priority is to put new procedures in place to ensure nothing like this can happen again and to earn the trust of the Council as we move forward,” he concluded.

Read the full statement from the Metropolitan Police below:

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 | Central West BCU (@MPSWestminster) November 15, 2024

(via The Guardian)

Niamh Ingram is Mixmag’s weekend editor