A POPULAR bar has been banned from selling alcohol after a man suffered a punctured lung and a pierced liver following a stabbing at the premises.

Bury Council suspended Alt House’s licence after police presented a hard-hitting report about the bar in Moss Lane, being associated with serious and violent crime.

The report revealed the full extent of the police's concerns following the incident on December 31 and stated ‘there are major concerns regarding the safety of members of staff and patrons attending the venue’.

Police previously asked the council to ban the bar from selling alcohol in August last year, following complaints from neighbours about issues with parking, litter and anti-social behaviour, including fighting, and bottles being left outside.

During a licensing hearing panel meeting at Bury Town Hall today, a GMP spokesman said: “We have information which leads us to believe that people in control, are bringing to that premises serious violence.”

In the report it states: “GMP are now aware that the current premises licence holder has lost control of the premises and in reality the person in control is David Warrender.

“David Warrender has convictions for serious drugs offences and money laundering. He is currently subject to an outstanding confiscation order that he has failed to comply with.

“That order was granted by the Courts on the basis of his previous financial gains from criminal activity.

“There is a concern that the management recorded on paper at the premises does not reflect the reality of what is actually in place at the Alt House.

“GMP maintain that David Warrender is in control of those premises.

“It cannot be a promotion of the licensing objectives to have a male with his background involved in a licensed premises.”

It added: “There has also been a previous attempted arson offence at the premises whereby a group of males attended and petrol was poured into the premises before being set alight. Fortunately the fire failed to ignite properly and as a result only minimal damage occurred.”

Chairman Cllr David Jones said: “We have decided to suspend the licence pending a full review.

“The crime and violence linked to the premises does not promote the licensing objectives.”