Nightclub closes as major roadworks deal blow to trade But plans now afoot to reopen as new venue
ONE of Birmingham’s most high-profile nightclubs has closed after 14 years, blaming an ongoing battle with roadworks.
Mechu, which was also a bar and restaurant, opened in Summer Row in 2003 but had struggled as a result of the disruption from the Paradise development roadworks.
The club had been a popular celebrity hangout with its private booths, VIP areas and Champagne girls.
Its last night was a farewell party on Saturday, March 11.
Previous owners Town and Country were badly hit by the roadworks outside which had reduced the top of the B4135 next to Summer Row to a wasteland of cones and barriers for two years.
Co-owners Mark Jones and Nigel Owen left the Town and Country business which went into administration after trading in Birmingham for almost 40 years.
Looking at the site for its future potential, new owner Alan Rees – originally from Sheffield but now based in San Diego – took on Mechu before Christmas along with fellow British business partner Benjamin Smith.
They carried on as Mechu to see how things panned out while making their own personal visits.
The pair have now decided to close it down, while keeping adjacent sister businesses Apres and Fleet Street Kitchen, which also has a restaurant in Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield.
The site’s parent FSK Group is now set to completely transform the former Mechu’s interior ready to reopen as a three-in-one “club with a difference” from early summer.
The site currently has a licence for up to 1,000 people and can stay open until 4am.
Carrie Harvey, events manager for Elite Party Venues, said: “Alan and Benjamin wanted to see how things went, but have decided to close Mechu.”
In future the downstairs area will be available for private functions from Wednesday to Saturday.
There will also be a bar where bands can play intimate gigs to audiences of up to 200 people and there will be an upstairs club room, also open from Wednesday to Saturday.
Ms Harvey said: “We currently employ about 85 people at FSK and nobody has lost their job – we will also be recruiting.”
As for the roadworks, which are still not finished, Carrie added: “We are over the worst and I don’t believe they will be finished this month as promised. Once they are gone, it will certainly improve business. If it’s not extremely beneficial, they will have been a complete waste of time.”