A TOWIE bar which has turned the area into a “hell-hole” has been forced to close – and reopen as a gastro pub.

Luxe Bar, in High Road, Loughton, were told by Epping Forest District Council’s licencing sub-committee to close the notorious nightclub once and for all.

It must stop trading for three months before reopening as a gastropub in an attempt to “break free” from its violent and dishonourable past.

Towie stars arrive at the venue at its opening in 2011

Epping Forest Guardian:

When it reopens the manager will provide neighbours with his phone number in case of violence, and will set up regular community liaison meetings.

But the news did not satisfy neighbours on the road, who are at their wits end with constant violence and anti-social behaviour.

Mrs Kelly, of Smarts Lane, told a hearing at Epping Forest District Council today: “We are very distrustful that anything will change.

“Why should we trust these people? It used to be a peaceful and safe area, now it is a hell hole.

“This bar is notorious for miles around. It needs to be shut down. I can only speak as I feel, and I am extremely angry and I feel ignored.

“I want to see it closed. The atrocities that have happened in our high street are unbelievable.”

A 350 page document full of complaints and letters from neighbours was submitted to the committee, and six residents turned up to have their say.

One witness statement said “I do not feel safe after dark at the weekends to take my dogs for a walk near there.”

Another said “I am scared to go out late and I am a grown woman. I cannot imagine how things will continue for my children if this place is allowed to remain open and then trouble continues to worsen every week.”

Articles written in the Guardian Series appeared in the document, along with police logs of evidence and statements from witnesses.

Earlier this month, the bar’s licence was suspended a week after a man was stabbed in the chest after a fight near the bar.

It was the last straw for the infamous club, which has been the site of an acid attack, seen a man threatened on the dancefloor with a knife and a man hit by a car.

Smarts Lane resident Mr Moody told the committee: “Generally speaking, all you need to do is look at the size of the document of complaints. I feel very sorry for the police.

“This has gone on for too long and it needs to be closed down.”

Essex Police were not able to give evidence on the stabbing that took place on April 29 because the investigation was still ongoing.

Mr Ranatunga, a representative for Essex Police, said: “The police met with the premises management last week and there were fruitful discussions. Things have got so out of hand that the licence had to be revoked.”

The venue will have to make significant changes if it wants to continue trading.

The owner’s have secured £300k of private funding to completely transform the venue, which will become a pub called The Royal Standard.

Councillors Mary Sartin, Richard Morgan and Judy Jennings, decided it can stay open from 9am to 11.30pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 9am to 12.30am on Friday and Saturday.

Sarah Le-Fevre was representing Luxe Bar’s management team and hoped the committee would only give a two month suspension, but it instead opted for the maximum of three months.

Mrs Le-Fevre said: “It is wholly unsurprising that the police put forward an application in the first place. It would be madness for me to say anything on the contrary.

“Our attention should be focused on the cases and then taking appropriate proportional measures in response those cases.

“There has been a radical change at the premises. A change in appearance, and a radical change in rebranding. We would remove the black paint, restore the facade and rename the premises as The Royal Standard.

“This is another obvious break from the past.”

David Linnell, chairman of the Loughton Residents Plans Action Group, has campaigned for changes for years.

As part of its proposal, Luxe promised to have two bouncers on the doors, but Mr Linnell has reservations.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: “The police are dealing with the crime and disorder and violent incidents.

“Residents have to deal with minor incidents every weekend. People have had someone urinate through their letter box. You will be able to see in the number of letters from residents that they are extremely concerned.

“We are being promised with a gastro pub. Is this only a gastro pub? It will be a late night bar.

“That is what it sounds like to me at the moment. There are going to be two door supervisors. Other gastro pubs do not have door supervisors. I would ask the panel to consider this.”

Neighbours started a petition, which amassed 300 signatures, a week before the bar was closed, asking for it to be closed for good.

It claimed the “bar has caused nothing but trouble” since it opened in 2011 and said “someone would get killed” if nothing was done.