A troubled Watford pub, which was forced to close because of the rowdy behaviour of its customers and former landlord, will reopen as a “family friendly” venue, its new owner has said.

Champions Bar, in St Albans Road, could reopen as early as tonight (Thursday) under its new name, The Sycamore.

The pub was ordered to close by Watford Borough Council last September after a deluge of complaints from neighbouring residents.

Owners Enterprise Inns later won a renewal of its premises licence and has now appointed a new licensee.

Hazel Vanessa Grant will now run the pub with her father Boyd, a former business partner of shamed ex-landlord Craig Daniel, who, after he was stripped of his licence, had to be evicted from the building after claiming squatter’s rights.

Mr Grant, who said he welcomed Mr Daniel’s departure, promised to re-establish the venue’s once proud reputation. He said: “We’re going to run it as a family and even plan to move upstairs. We want it to be a family pub that is welcoming to everyone.

“I’ve spoken to some of the neighbours and they are happy; one man said he’d be coming back for the first time in ten years.”

Enterprise Inns said it planned a “soft re-launch” for the venue before committing to extensive renovations later in the year.”

Negotiations between the police, who opposed the granting of a new premises licence in January, resulted in an additional condition being added to the current license requiring an immediate change of designated premises supervisor (DPS) if any further problems occur.

Councillor Jan Brown, chairman of the council’s licensing committee, said: “I can reassure residents that the pub is a high priority for council officers and the Police who will be monitoring activities. Local councillors are also involved and we will be meeting with Enterprise Inns in the next week to spell out the position that swift action will be taken if problems with crime, disorder or nuisance for local residents occur."

Sergeant Ian Smith added: "The Police and council will be working with the new DPS to ensure that there is no repetition of the problems that blighted residents' lives a few months ago. We took robust action then, in initiating review proceedings, and we will do so again if the need arises."

Councillor Steve Rackett, who had attempted to mediate between the residents and Mr Daniel, added: “I welcome the fact that it is reopening and hope it is successful. Enterprise Inns let residents down over the last two years and I hope they get it right this time.”