A VENUE in Bolton town centre where a man suffered fatal injuries is being allowed to remain trading - with extra security conditions.

An emergency licensing review was ordered by Bolton Council on the Luxe Lounge, in Bradshawgate, following the death of father-of-two Robert Smethurst on September 2.

He was found unconscious on the premises and later died from a number of injuries, councillors were told. Another man was seriously hurt in the incident.

An expedited licensing hearing took place four days later - but no action was recommended until a full review could take place

Pc Ben Brookfield, police licensing officer, told the full review he had met with licence holder Macauley Stephens several times since September 2.

Mr Stephens had shown "genuine concern" about what had happened, councillors heard, and "expressed a willingness to assist the police in any way he could", including observing several extra conditions on the premises licence to help ensure there was no repeat of the tragic events.

Mr Stephens said he had operated the venue since March 2020 without any previous incidents.

He told councillors he had put in place several measures to bolster security, including door staff using handheld metal detectors to check customers on entry for any concealed objects.

Mr Stephens was also proposing to install a CCTV camera which covered the bar's Princess Street side. He also pledged to become an active member of the town centre's pub watch scheme in future.

Mr Stephens said he was a responsible licence holder and his staff had abided by licensing conditions both before and after the September 2 incident.

Councillors considered the submissions in private and their findings have now been published. The licensing review agreed to allow the venue to continue trading under several additional conditions, including the metal detector and CCTV camera plans.

Councillors also wanted to see door staff employed there from 9pm until the bar closed, Fridays to Sundays, and a dress code enforced.