Top lawyer’s bid to reopen nightclub is blocked

A JEWELLERY Quarter nightclub shut down after a customer fired a gun outside the ‘gang-linked’ venue has failed in its bid to reopen.

Beorma launched in Fleet Street last January with the promise of bringing a “Miami nightlife experience” to the city.

But the venue had its licence revoked weeks later after a gun was fired outside. It was also linked to Johnson Crew and Burger Bar Boys gangsters. Now, business owner Tariq Rashid – a top city lawyer – has been denied permission to reopen on four different nights throughout January and February, between 9pm and 4.30am.

West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council’s environmental health department both opposed the plans.

The club was originally shut down when gangster Fabian Williams fired a shot from a revolver after leaving Beorma early on March 13 last year.

Revellers were sent diving for cover but police knew nothing of the incident, which was not reported to officers, until detectives found footage on YouTube three days later.

Williams was jailed for 14 years for possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing ammunition. Councillors were told Mr Rashid’s son, Zafaran, previ- ously ran Beorma but would have nothing to do with the relaunch.

Robert Cowley, representing Tariq Rashid, said: “Mr Rashid is the managing director of the Rashid and Co law firm and has made a substantial investment in this business. His son Zafaran has nothing to do with this now.”

But Pc Abdul Rohomon said: “I have seen nothing to show the premises has changed in any way.”