The management of the Imperial Nightclub in Oxford can count itself lucky to be opening its doors tonight.

The complaints filed by police against the Park End Street establishment were serious enough to warrant instant closure.

But the city licensing panel decided in its wisdom to show mercy - the club now has two months to put its house in order.

According to police, this nightspot has become a haven for drink-fuelled violence, underage drinking and health and safety breaches.

Those in charge of this and other clubs need to be left in no doubt of their responsibilities.

It is not just a matter of standing behind the bar, offering all sorts of cheap drinks, filling their cash tills, then washing their hands of any trouble that might follow.

It is their job to make sure they keep an orderly house and that their customers behave.

Unless the managers of the Imperial get a grip of the turmoil they have helped create, their licence should be stripped from them for good.