A CITY nightclub could be closed for six weeks after police produced a dossier of disorder detailing alcohol-related violence and underage drinking.

The Imperial, in Park End Street, was informed this week that its premises licence had been suspended by Oxford City Council licensing officers.

It was warned to clean up its act in future or face permanent closure.

The club was initially told in a city council hearing that it would be closed with immediate effect until May 1.

But its owner is now considering lodging an appeal and the club will be allowed to stay open until it is heard.

Drinks promotions worried police so much they urged Oxford City Council to close the venue after of a string of disturbances.

Police licensing co-ordinator Tony Cope said: "Suspension is a halfway house for us. It was not being run responsibly - there was too much of a crime and disorder issue with underage drinking and violence.

"It will stay on our radar for a long time."

Police cited several recent disturbances - including a fight involving 15 to 20 men which took place outside the club on February 16. A week beforehand, toilets were swabbed for drugs during a licensing check and a high reading of cocaine was found.

City centre police inspector Richard Brown said: "The premises really came to our attention back in August all the way through the autumn.

"There was a steady drip of assaults and thefts. Management did not seem to have a grip on controlling these incidents."

Club manager Philip Glenn said that since he took over at The Imperial four weeks ago there had been no major incidents.

He said the dress code had been tightened and identification was requested from everyone entering.