A BAR once condemned for being the source of boozed fuelled violence has been granted a new licence by council chiefs.

An application was handed to Barnet Council in February for an alcohol licence at the infamous venue in High Road, North Finchley.

The disused building, which was last open as Embassy Lounge and before that, as Purple Rain, closed in 2008 after the then owners had their licence revoked following a series of attacks and reports of under-age drinking.

The new applicants have no connection with the previous owners, and a licensing sub-committee meeting heard bosses were happy to make a raft of amendments to pacify concerned residents living in the area.

At the meeting today, held in Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs, solicitor for the applicant, Sarah Le Fevre, said the latest proposals for the venue were “modest” in comparison to the nightclub that had previously been there.

She described the running of that club as “horribly unsatisfactory” and promised “considerable” investment in the building.

“We have already responded to police concerns before this meeting,” said Ms Le Fevre.

“This will be granted under the detailed scrutiny of the responsible authorities and by those local residents.”

The venue will be used as a bar restaurant, which is welcomed by police sergeant, Mark Altman, who said much of the historical trouble had stemmed from DJ branded, and promoted, events at the club, which attracted people from outside the area.

A request to play recorded music at the bar was removed by the applicant, although 43 letters of objection to a licensed venue were sent in to the council by residents.

Speaking at the meeting today, David Stephenson, chair of the West Finchley Safer Neighbourhood Team ward panel, said he had no opposition to the owners but added: “The central issue is the location is not appropriate for a licensed venue.

“The improvement in the local area since the old premises shut down has been immense. It is a concern that the opening of a licensed premises will detract from that improvement.”

He also raised concerns about the use of the outside terrace as a smoking area, which he said has been a source of the disturbance in the past, while another complainant, Ian Murphy, of Stanhope Road, admitted: “If this premises did not have the history it does, then we wouldn't be here.”

Ms Le Fevre reassured the committee that her client was highly experienced and owns a bar in Leicester Square.

Councillor Andreas Tambourides, chairman of the meeting, said after deliberation, the committee had decided to grant the application but added a series of conditions.

No glass or alcohol will be permitted outside and signs must be placed up to stop people parking on the pedestrian walkway and reminding customers to exit quietly.

Cllr Tambourides added: “I am sure and confident the residents in the area, if there is any activities that are not welcome, will be the first ones to let us know because they have their ears to the ground.”