Clubbing together

A FORMER bus repair garage in Digbeth will give inner cityBirmingham another new lease of life tonight - when it opens as asuper club.

Code is the brainchild of promoters Godskitchen, whose Friday all-nighters at The Sanctuary in Digbeth have attracted clubbers intheir droves.

Promoters Godskitchen - run by Chris Griffin and Tyrone Desavreywith new partner Neil Moffit - say the newly transformed site willgive revellers the best of everything.

'It is a club that will lead Europe through the 21st century,'boasts Chris.

'We believe what we are offering is totally unique to Birminghamand this country.'

Plans for the club first began a year ago when Godskitchenrealised they needed their own building to fulfil their ambitions.

'Birmingham needs its own venue,' says Chris. We areperfectionists as a company so we thought we would build somethingthat was the best clubbing experience people have ever had.'

Based at Heath Mill Lane, Code aims to provide quality customercare and has a unique sound system.

'JBL custom made the sound system and it is the only one in theworld. We managed to persuade them to put it into production as aone off,' says Chris.

The system is matched with lighting featuring 78 moving headswhich turn through a full 360 degree angle, while the lounge roomhas been kitted out with pounds 75,000 worth of Italian marble.

The launch takes place between 9pm and 6am, coinciding withGodskitchen's third anniversary, and is set to include appearancesby top DJs Paul Oakenfold, Tall Paul, Sonique and John Kelly.

Clubbers will also be able to take advantage of other nightswhich range from hard house to the mellow as well as the half price,Wednesday event, Code Red.

Michael McLean, Birmingham film and music specialist, says Codeheralds the dawn of a new era for music in the city.

'Code's opening is happening at a very exciting time forBirmingham. We will have the focus of all the dance industry on us.I think it will show Birmingham can compete with the likes ofManchester and Liverpool,' he says.

'Godskitchen has a reputation of its own and Code will put itsstamp on Europe and could be one of the best in Europe.'

Since clubbers often travel and spend weekends in the citieswhere their favourite nights are being held, Michael believes thatwill have knock-on effect, as the same people who party the nightaway on Saturday visit bars and the region's otherattractions byday.

'Now is the time to shout out about Birmingham,' he says.

Entrance to Code's launch night is pounds 20.

The London-based McKenzie group has confirmed that the formerHummingbird venue in Dale End will now reopen as The BirminghamAcademy in November. Operating as both a club and concert venue, itwill have a capacity of 2,300.

Managing director John Northcote says: 'We intend to put TheBirmingham Academy firmly on the world entertainment stage as wehave with The Brixton Academy and The Shepherds Bush Empire.'

'As part of the venue there will be a smaller room which will beutilised for new, up and coming local acts. Birmingham has for toolong been without a medium-sized venue - we have put this right.'

The venue will also have provision for full internet andbroadcast facilities through the McKenzie Group's association withWembley TV.