AIR (nightclub)

AIR was a 2,000 capacity superclub located in Digbeth, Birmingham in England. AIR originally started out life as a spray shop for buses, when in 2000 the building was bought by Godskitchen and converted into a club, originally named CODE. In June 2003,[1] CODE closed for a complete refit and reopened in late September 2003[2] under the new name of AIR. Improvements included an extra room of music being added to the two already in use (resulting in a lowered ceiling of the main room).[1] Along with the club's name change, the 3 spaces inside were named the Oxygen Arena, the Nitrogen Room and the Carbon Lounge.[3] The club features state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. In 2002, Fergie (a resident DJ at the club for Godskitchen and Polysexual events in the early 2000s[4]) said "It is one of the best [sound] systems I've ever played on, throughout the whole world".[5]

A view of the entrance to the nightclub on Heath Mill Lane.

In addition to Friday night's Godskitchen, AIR has hosted parties by Helter Skelter, Babooshka, Polysexual, Raveology, Hardcore Til I Die & Atomic Jam.

AIR is situated in an area of Digbeth synonymous with club culture, the "Custard Factory Quarter", named after the nearby Custard Factory, a centre for music and arts. Adjacent to the Custard Factory is the O2 Institute (formerly the Digbeth Institute), the original home of Godskitchen.

The 20-year lease contract originally taken out by Angel Music Group still remains in place but since 6 May 2012 the club has remained closed due to the slow demise of the Godskitchen brand caused mainly by a lack of direction and leadership and the high costs imposed by the Custard Factory landlords making it far cheaper to keep the doors closed than to open them.

Godskitchen has since moved to several different venues including the O2 Institute, The Rainbow Warehouse textile factory and Boxxed in search of a new home for its brand and loyal fanbase