BAR IGUANA, the popular Winchester nightspot, was refused an application to renew its public entertainment licence last night.

The refusal, made by the city's licensing and regulation committee at the Guildhall, Winchester, effectively means the bar may lose its late licence.

The licencees have the right to appeal to magistrates within 21 days of notice of the decision. If they do not appeal or are turned down by the court, normal licensing hours (11am -11pm) will apply.

Under the public entertainment licence the bar can close its doors at midnight, Monday to Wednesday, 1am Thursdays and Saturdays, and 2am on Fridays.

A report issued to the committee highlighted police fears about underage drinking and disorder in and around the venue on Jewry Street.

The police had recommended that the licence be renewed for a period of no more than six months so that conduct on the premises could be closely monitored.

The bar has had a chequered history. One of the owners, Franco Ardani, was prosecuted in May, after an undercover police operation was launched amid growing concern at teenage drinking.

Officers found 27 underage drinkers among customers at the bar on September 20 last year and Mr Ardani was later prosecuted on two charges of having minors inside his establishment.

Mr Ardani explained how he hadn't been on the premises when the police raided and said he now operated a strict policy of identifying people who came into the pub and took responsibility by being on the door himself.

Police also pointed to the fact that in the period from September 1, 2002 to May 22 this year there were 62 assault and disorder incidents recorded in Jewry Street, a strip 340m long, 23 of which occurred either inside or immediately outside Bar Iguana.

Sgt John Myall said of the 23, 17 or 18 were cases of actual bodily harm (ABH). All of them involved alcohol and took place after 11pm mostly on Friday or Saturday nights.

After consideration, committee chairman, Kenneth Carter said the licensing and regulation commitee viewed very seriously the unprecedented number of incidents recorded by police at and around Bar Iguana.

The application to renew the public entertainment licence and transfer the name of another licensee onto it was then refused.

Mr Ardani said on leaving the meeting: "We've been very harshly treated.''

Insp Chris May said: "This sends a clear message to the licensing trade in Winchester that serious breaches of licensing law will result in prosecution and can lead to the loss of licence as has happened on this occasion.''