CELLAR DOOR TO OPEN - From the Birmingham Post

The once-threatened Rainbow pub in Digbeth has created a new space in its cellar to complete the Victorian venue’s transformation from a pub into a nightclub.

The move comes a year after it was handed a noise abatement order, prompted by complaints about sound from its club nights troubling neighbours in newly-built flats nearby.

But the venue has since installed a noise-insulating roof and has not had any further complaints, leaving landlord Kent Davis confident the pub can now play a significant role in supporting a “Birmingham scene”.

He said the Cellar Door represented the next stage in transforming The Rainbow.

“We have completely gutted it and put about £150,000 investment into developing the space, and it looks fantastic,” said Mr Davis.

“We are keen to develop a Birmingham scene, a bit like Manchester had its Hacienda and Liverpool had the Cavern Club.

“It is our responsibilty to provide the venues where this can happen.”

The Cellar Door is due to open on May 28 and complements The Rainbow Venues’ growing complex of spaces in Digbeth, including the nearby Rainbow Warehouse and The Arena, due to open in October and which can hold crowds of up to 5,000.

Its opening is the latest in a series of changes to Digbeth nightlife, with the HMV Institute due to launch in the former Sanctuary venue on Digbeth High Street in September and the move of the Factory Club out of the main Custard Factory courtyard.

The Rainbow Pub hit headlines last year when a campaign was mounted against its noise abatement order which included a one-off gig from Birmingham reggae band UB40 to raise funds for the soundproof roof.