CALLS to close an “apparent drugs den” nightclub - after a reveller nearly died - have been rejected by councillors.

La Spatule, in Bradshawgate, has had its hours slashed and can no longer play music or have a dancefloor — but police requests to shut down the business completely were denied by Bolton Council’s licencing sub-committee.

The town hall review of the club’s licence was held after three people were taken to hospital on September 21, after attending a DJ night when they took class A drugs including MDMA and LSD inside the premises.

One of the clubbers, a 21-year-old man, deteriorated rapidly after he was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital and he was left fighting for his life, the hearing was told.

Another female, also aged 21, had a heart rate of 152 while she was being treated by paramedics, and admitted to inhaling balloons filled with the legal high nitrous oxide — or laughing gas — while in La Spatule.

On the same night police were called after a brawl took place outside the bar after 4am which spilled out into the middle of Bradshawgate.

Officers said keeping the venue open would lead to disorder in Bolton town centre.

After the brawl police searched the premises, owned by Adelaide Tatchemo, and found about 100 balloons and 50 canisters used to dispense nitrous oxide strewn across the floor.

Fire services also revealed a catalogue of missing safety measures that put the lives of revellers at risk, including inadequate fire escapes, no working smoke alarms and the shutters down while people were inside.

But councillors rejected calls by the authorities to revoke La Spatule’s licence, instead imposing a set of “stringent restrictions” — effectively stopping the venue operating as a nightclub, leaving it with just its restaurant business.

These include installing CCTV, banning any performances of live music or dance, playing any recorded music, not selling alcohol after 1am and posting leaflets outlining their “Challenge 25” drinks policy and anti-drugs message at the front of the venue and in the toilets.

Cllr Kevan Jones, chairman of the committee, said: “Because the manager is new to the trade we decided to put these very stringent rules in place — nothing would have been learnt if we had taken her licence.

“We are hoping that she takes on board these restrictions. We have given her a chance but we can bring her back if she fails to comply.

“It was a very serious offence and I think we have dealt with it.

“We don’t want to put another business out, especially in that part of town.”

PC Andy Vernon gave evidence at the hearing and described the club as an “apparent drugs den”.

Summing up police interviews given by the three revellers, he said: “It appears to me that this drug taking was a regular occurrence.

“This is the entertainment that people attend this venue for.

“Ms Tatchemo has done nothing at all to promote the licensing objectives and nothing to support no drugs on her premises.”

Speaking afterwards he said: “I’m pleased with the outcome. The committee has imposed stringent conditions.

"If these things are not working we can come back for review.”

Ms Tatchemo’s legal representative, Ajmal Hussain, told the committee she had already taken steps to address the police's concerns, including installing CCTV and attending PubWatch meetings.

He said: “She is just as concerned about the use of drugs in her premises. There is a complete denial on her part of any drugs being sold in the premises.

“It is regrettable these things do happen with nightclubs. There is trouble. That’s not an excuse but we are now asking what can be done from here.”

La Spatule is the 15th licenced premises to be reviewed by Bolton councillors so far this year.