Related News
-
A big party to celebrate Southport Pleasureland\'s big birthday - 09/07/12 -
New Anfield Business Centre to officially open in Liverpool - 02/07/12
-
Maya bar now officially open under Lucha Libre Liverpool - 05/07/12 -
Martin Skrtel wants Liverpool FC talks as Manchester City circle - 21/06/12 -
WAGs lose out after Liverpool furniture store shuts down - 05/07/12
Former Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton, who saw her swanky nightspot closed after a gangland-style stabbing has been told it can only re-open with metal detectors.
The trendy H-Bar made its name as one of Liverpool's most celebrity studded venues with Ricky Hatton, Stevie Gerrard, Alex Curran and Jordan amongst its regular guests.
Police accused the star's door staff of trying to cover up the attack and said they were left with no choice but to shut the venue down.
An emergency closure order was slapped on the trendy bar in September after the burly bouncers denied the stabbing had happened and attempted to mop up the blood.
The venue, which opened in November last year, had become a regular haunt for some of the city’s highest-profile gangsters.
PC Stuart Moore, from Merseyside Police’s licensing team said some were on the force’s 'Hard Stop' list - a record of criminals who should not be stopped by officers without armed back-up.
Councillors have now allowed the singer's troubled H-bar to re-open, but only after they agreed to install an airport-style metal detector on its door to screen for weapons.
Ms Hamilton’s husband Riad Erraji had told councillors they had taken steps, such as upgrading CCTV equipment and hiring a new security firm to exclude 'undesirable characters.'
They also stressed the club wanted to work with police to ensure a safe environment at H-bar, because the 20-day closure had cost it around £40,000.
Mr Erraji said: "The closure has been a wake-up call for everyone involved.
"We are confident the new team on the door will be able to make the club a safe and friendly environment."
After the hearing, Natasha’s showbiz manager Martin O’Shea said: "Natasha and everyone associated with H-bar are delighted the club can re-open."
Licensing PC Moore said: "This should be seen as an example of our commitment to remove the fear of violence from licensed premises."
