Wolverhampton's Starworks Warehouse reopens after blaze
Top entertainment venue Starworks Warehouse in Wolverhampton is 'back with a vengeance' after a huge blaze almost saw it shut down for good.
Bosses at the giant warehouse in Frederick Street have said it is 'back to business' now that the clean-up of the fire is complete.
West Midlands Fire Service has since confirmed the blaze happened accidentally.
More than 40 firefighters tackled huge flames and thick, black smoke during the incident on May 16, but they were able to contain the fire before it spread to the main event warehouse.
They were however, despite their best efforts, unable to prevent major damage to the newly refurbished 1883 Lounge which was due to open in just a few weeks’ time after months of 'painstaking' restoration.
But managers Neil Kettleborough and Wayne Scott-Fox have planned three huge events over the next coming weeks, and say they are expecting thousands to attend.
Neil said: “Everyone assumed after the fire that our whole site was ashes and we would be months away from reopening but thankfully the fire was contained to just the VIP room and offices above and the main arena was smoke logged but otherwise unaffected.
“Now we have the go ahead go to reopen the arena and will bounce back bigger and better than ever starting with our Pure Garage event on Saturday, June 30 featuring DJ Luck and MC Neat and Oxide and Neutrino.
“We then welcome England World Cup legend Paul Gazza Gascoigne for an evening of entertainment on Friday, July 20 and his stories of his exploits on and off the pitch."
Last month’s fire could not have come at a worse time for the venue which had just hosted Wolves Premier League promotion winning side’s after party.
The event which manager Nuno Espírito Santo and his boys joined by more than 2,500 fans.
It raised £3,000 which was split between skipper Danny Batth’s Foundation DB charity and Cure Leukaemia in tribute to the Wolves’ keeper Carl Ikeme who just recently announced he was in remission.
The fire also stalled the opening of the new VIP bar - it severely damaged the newly laid flooring, windows, and ceilings which had been restored over the last few months.
Other events coming up at the warehouse include Wolverhampton Reggae Festival on Saturday, July 21 featuring live performances and a host of all food and flavours of Jamaica.
