“HEAVY handed” police shut my bar down because of one missing piece of paper during a recent licensing crackdown, a manager claims.

iBar general manager Leigh Simmons says when officers and Home Office experts called at the Holdenhurst Road venue just after midnight on Thursday, January 20, he could not immediately find a four-year-old report that monitored the effect of noise on neighbours.

So they closed the bar, which was quiet anyway, for just over 45 minutes while he tracked it down.

Mr Simmons said: “We were shut for less than an hour as I looked for one particular piece of paperwork.

“Serving a closure notice gives you seven days to fix any problems, so I thought this was heavy handed.

“We’re a live music venue not a drinking spot.

“It shines a bad light where it’s not deserved.”

iBar is part of the Town Watch scheme and are proud of Bournemouth’s Purple Flag, a gold standard for towns that offer a good mix of night time activities and are welcoming, clean and safe.

Mr Simmons said: “I want people to know they can come and enjoy a safe night here.”

Smokin’ Aces, in Commercial Road, had to close half an hour early.

Speaking on their behalf, solicitor Philip Day said: “We have had constructive discussions with police and council licensing officers and will be seeking an approval for a new internal lay out as the bar had been moved.

“There are no other outstanding issues and Smokin’ Aces will remain open.”

In total 10 bars were inspected. Klute manager John Isik said they also received a closure notice.

However they were back trading the next day.

He added: “We’re one of Bournemouth’s premier bars and are back in business as a licensing problem has been sorted.

“Customers are already back having a good time as always.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases while criminal investigations are ongoing.”