A BAR in an isolated location which opens round the clock has had its licence suspended for two months after several episodes of violence – one of which included a girl having her finger bitten off. Bar 247 – previously known as a gay haunt called Fudge

A BAR in an isolated location which opens round the clock has had its licence suspended for two months after several episodes of violence - one of which included a girl having her finger bitten off.

Bar 247 - previously known as a gay haunt called Fudge on Redbourn Road, St Albans - first attracted police attention in November last year.

Sergeant Debbie O'Malley said police were called to the incident in which the girl had her finger bitten off during a fight with another woman.

Concern grew that the bar, which has a 24-hour licence, was attracting people already drunk before they got there.

She said: "The bar which holds between 300 and 350 people was attracting people leaving pubs and clubs that shut at 2am."

The police asked owner Ferdinand Konig to increase security measures. Sgt O' Malley said: "Due to the incidents of violence and rumours of drug-taking, we encouraged Mr Konig to limit entry to patrons arriving before 2am and supply customers with plastic glasses but he did not seem to want to co-operate with measures we suggested be implemented."

After attempts to get Mr Konig to reconsider some of his security measures failed, Sgt O' Malley decided for safety reasons to put the matter before St Albans District Council's licensing committee for review.

At the hearing on Monday evening, a panel of three councillors agreed to suspend Bar 247's licence for two months until it complied with conditions which included refusing entry to customers after 4am, making sure CCTV equipment was working properly and employing a minimum of two door staff.

It was also recommended that scanning equipment should be used to check identities and help prevent under-age drinking.

Bar 247 manager Steve Jacobs said he was not allowed to comment when asked if the bar would appeal against the decision. Mr Konig was unavailable for comment.