A BAR has been told to stop playing hip-hop and garage music — or it could lose its licence.

Vogue in Bradshawgate attracted punters by playing hip-hop, garage and underground music.

Now, in a bid to appeal to older bar-goers, it will only play chart music and hits from the 1980s and 1990s.

Out go artists such as Dr Dre, The Wu Tang Clan, MJ Cole and The Artful Dodger, to be replaced with acts like Cheryl Cole, Rihanna, Gary Barlow and Nicki Minaj.

Bosses at a hearing of Bolton Council’s licensing committee yesterday agreed to the conditions — and were warned if they appeared before the committee again, revocation will be a “serious consideration”.

Vogue, which had previously been described as “the most problematic bar in Bolton town centre”, first appeared before the licensing committee after police made complaints following a string of incidents connected to the bar, including a serious assault on a customer by one of the bouncers.

The latest hearing followed a street brawl on May 25.

Councillors heard the bar’s bosses had been before the committee earlier that month following trouble at the venue, and when further incidents took place police applied for an review on June 7 and interim steps were put in place.

That included the bar closing at midnight each night and Rosolino Granata being removed as the manager.

Yesterday the committee heard the bar has been working reduce the number of incidents and a new security firm has been appointed.

Andy Grimsey, representing Vogue, told the hearing the venue had changed the music from underground and garage to 80s, 90s and pop music to try to attract an older crowd.

He added: “We accept there has been an issue and it could not go on.

“We cannot work with these hours and do not believe they are appropriate and we are asking you to increase them.”

PC Garry Lee, licensing officer, added: “Reviews are not something police bring easily, it is a result of incidents and a large amount of work is put in before presenting it.

“Changes have been made but why have these not been implemented before? A number of reviews down the line we are presented with changes that will solve problems. I am a bit sceptical of that.”

The councillors decided the bar can open until 2am Sunday to Thursday, and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Alcohol must not be served after 1.30am during the week and 3.30am Fridays and Saturdays.

Cllr Kevan McKeon, who chaired the meeting, said: “We regard the incident as very serious and appreciate the concerns expressed by the police.

“We note the improvements made to the management system and hope these are rigorously maintained.”

A spokesman for Vogue, said after the hearing: “As a result of being brought to a review, we have made major improvements to our policies and training, and employed a new, more professional security firm.

“Since implementing these changes we have already seen the level of incidents drop by more than 50 per cent, which I am delighted with. I am confident with the changes we have implemented we will continue to see this trend.

“I am happy the council and the police appreciated the changes and improvements we have made, and I am happy they are now confident to allow us to extend our opening hours.”