A BEXLEYHEATH bar is operating on a temporary licence after magistrates refused to transfer the drinks licence to a new licensee.

Bar Ice, formerly the Polo Bar, in Bexleyheath Broadway, was refused a permanent licence at Bexley Magistrates' Court after local people detailed a catalogue of complaints.

Residents in the streets surrounding the bar, had written to the licensing magistrates about their problems with Bar Ice.

Seventeen turned up to last week's hearing which was a routine application to transfer the licence. Five residents gave evidence to the court.

They claimed people using the bar smash and dump bottles in their gardens and outside their homes, cause criminal damage, urinate in their gardens and are responsible for disorderly behaviour late at night.

Bexleyheath police say they have received about 30 letters of complaint from local people and Bexley Council has also received complaints.

But Bexleyheath police's licensing officer did not object to the transfer.

Local people say the bar, which is painted bright blue, lit by neon lights and has only a handful of seats inside, has caused them problems over several years.

The existing licensee opened the bar on February 8, following the failed court application and a deemed interim authority was granted last Friday to enable the bar to stay open pending another hearing.