A NIGHTCLUB that was forced to shut its doors after a patron suffered a fractured skull during an attack will be allowed to reopen as a ‘gay friendly' venue.

Identity on Bridge Street had its licence temporarily suspended in October after a serious assault that caused a man 'life-threatening' injuries.

But the nightclub will be allowed to reopen within a month after it was bought by new owners who intend to turn the premises into the town's only 'gay friendly' bar.

In the early hours of Sunday, October 22, a man was knocked unconscious outside Identity after being kicked and punched in the head.

Cheshire Police found a second man lying unconscious on the floor of the nightclub next to the DJ booth with blood coming from his ears and nose.

The 28-year-old suffered a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after being punched in the head, and was placed in an induced coma with injuries that were initially considered life-threatening.

On Tuesday, November 21, Warrington Borough Council's licensing sub-committee met at the Town Hall to review Identity's licence.

Concerns were raised by Cheshire Police over a number of breaches of the licence on the night in question.

An event held that evening was advertised as a 'birthday bash' that would run until 6am despite the nightclub only being licensed until 3am.

Solicitors representing the force said that the venue was 'known for drugs and violence', with an arrest made in connection with the supply of drugs at Identity following the assault.

Radios linking the nightclub to police had been disconnected as the bar's owners had failed to make a number of payments - with bar staff having had to run more than 100m to the Friar Penketh pub to alert officers to the incident - while issues with its CCTV system 'hindered the criminal investigation'.

The committee was told that Identity had been sold by owner Steve Hewitt to James Kofoed, who previously ran the Mix Bar on Barbauld Street, a day before the hearing.

Solicitor Paul Douglas, representing the premises, said: "The premises will not operate in the same format and everything is going to change.

"We are looking at a different clientele and these premises will be gay friendly."

Identity will now be allowed to open in three weeks’ time under conditions imposed by the licensing sub-committee, which said that the nightclub had been 'disgracefully managed and had a reputation for disorder'.

None of the current bar staff will be allowed to remain working at the venue, while door staff may only be provided by a company validated by the Security Industry Authority.

Door staff will be made to wear body cameras while a new CCTV system must also be installed at the bar.

Mr Douglas added: "Mr Kofoed will not trade until conditions are being met 100 per cent and we have no choice other than to fully comply with what is required."