PANAMA Jacks and the police have both said they are happy with the licensing hearing over the Bridge Street club.

Magistrates agreed tougher operating restrictions including a reduced capacity for the bar after police said they were concerned about the amount of complaints of theft and violence at the premises.

Opening hours are restricted to 2.30am at weekends and the capacity is down to 375.

The bar management proposed several improvements themselves, although club owner Steve Lawler felt the police did not pass on the crime information properly and consult enough before the hearing was called.

"Obviously from our point of view the consultation was the major issue, but we are happy now we are in a position where there are certain things we know we have to do," said Mr Lawler, who also owns the adjacent Breeze Bar.

"We are in agreement with the police and the licensing authorities and we are keen to go away and do these things because we want to make Warrington a safe and secure place for people to go out. And we intend to do that more or less straight away."

Insp Alex Kane, the head of town centre policing, said: "I think we are happy with the outcome of the hearing. It's been a positive outcome.

"And we do hope that the working relationship between Warrington police and Panama Jacks and all the other licensees continues to be a positive and productive one to make Warrington town centre night-time a safer and more agreeable experience."