ESSEX Police have welcomed news a notorious bar popular with the cast of Towie was stripped of its licence.

Luxe Bar, in High Road, Loughton, was told to shut its doors for three months and reopen as a gastropub, with curtailed hours.

The bar’s fate was decided at a hearing by Epping Forest District Council’s licensing sub committee on Tuesday, May 30.

District commander chief inspector Lewis Basford said: “I am pleased that the owners of Luxe in Loughton have acknowledged the issues that were associated with the premises and have worked with Essex Police to come to an agreeable set of conditions that allow a local business to operate but under strict conditions.

“I hope this will alleviate the stresses of local residents who have been affected by recent incidents at the premises.”

The licence was originally suspended on May 5, a week after a man was stabbed in the chest nearby.

David Linnell, of the Loughton Plans Group, said: “We will be delighted if the changes result in residents at last having peaceful weekends – we are very pleased that at the very least there will be three quiet summer months before it reopens.”