One of Birmingham's most famous and much-loved nightclubs is relocating in the city. Snobs is set to relocate from its current premises on the corner of Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street, to Broad Street next year.
The club, which was founded more than 50 years ago, is set to move into the former premises of Velvet Music Rooms, which closed on Sunday, October 29. Snobs' current home in Smallbrook Queensway has been at risk since early 2023 as part of the city's wider regeneration plans.
Wayne Tracey, who owns Snobs, has revealed that the club will move into Cumberland House at 200 Broad Street in the middle of 2024.
Read more: In pictures: What Birmingham's new F1 Arcade bar will look like
Poll: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
He has purchased the lease of the two-floor premises from Velvet's former owners Dani Hadley and Eilis Collins. One based there, Snobs will join other Westside nightclubs including Reflex, Popworld, Pryzm and Rosies.
Mr Tracey said: "“I’m so pleased to have found such a great position of Broad Street where we can continue the great name, brand, reputation and nightlife that everyone in Birmingham knows as Snobs. As well as relocating the business and staff, we also hope to create a few more jobs because of potentially longer opening hours, due to more passing trade in the daytime.
"There’s still some way to go, as although we’ve signed the property deal, we now have to carefully plan and time our move from Smallbrook Queensway to Broad Street, and keep the business trading in between. But we are very excited by this new opportunity to move onto the ‘golden mile’ of Broad Street in the Westside area, with all the opportunities it offers.
"There’s a healthy nightlife on Westside, but also all the extra footfall from conferences at the ICC, with many top hotels in the area, and entertainment at places like The Rep theatre and the Utilita Arena."
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, added: "We are so excited that the one and only Snobs nightclub is moving to Broad Street. Everyone knows Snobs – whether you’re in late-middle age like me and went there as a teenager in the 1970s, or whether you’re part of the younger generation who frequent the club now.
"We were sad to see Velvet close, but we are thrilled that their coveted location at the heart of Broad Street will now have a bright new future. We will be rolling out the red carpet for Wayne and his staff and will be supporting them in any way we can as they move, open and settle into their new premises."
Snobs first opened in the basement of Beneficial House, off Suffolk Street Queensway in 1972 by the Berrow brothers, who also owned the Rum Runner venue in the city and managed Duran Duran for a time. Snobs was later taken on by Gary Daniel, who transformed the city centre club into the indie venue it has been for the last three decades.
Mr Daniel owned the venue until his death at the age of 40 in 2001. Current owner Wayne Tracey bought it from his family in 2002 and in September 2014 moved the club’s premises to the corner of Hurst Street and Smallbrook Queensway.
Snobs' DJ's became renowned for playing a mix of indie, alternative, retro and current jams, R&B and hip hop. The club has been home to regular nights including the city’s longest-running student night – Big Wednesday. It also hosts what it claims are Birmingham’s best indie nights, called Rehab on Fridays, and the city’s favourite alternative night out, called Loaded on Saturdays.
Mr Tracey hopes to continue the regular themed nights when Snobs opens on Broad Street. He said: "We’re looking forward to becoming part of the ‘golden mile’ and to welcoming both existing and new customers to Snobs. It’s going to be a new, fresh venue for a great and established brand, and we can’t wait to get going."
