ON the face of it, council chiefs would appear to have a good case for taking the strongest possible action against Club Regal in Eastleigh.

Police had put together a damning catalogue of serious incidents that showed people’s safety was being put at risk, as we report on pages 4 and 5 of today’s paper.

Widespread drug use, violent assaults, failure to report mass brawls and a lack of training for new staff were all highlighted in the shocking dossier.

While no one wanted to see a key business in the town closed, it was clear the situation could not continue.

After all, the club has what could be described as a chequered history going back many years.

With that in mind, councillors have been fair and generous in giving the new people in charge a clean slate.

They are talking positively about turning over a new leaf.

But if they cannot live up to their promises, they should face the consequences before someone has to pay a heavy price.