NEW owners, a new name and assurances of a fresh start convinced councillors to approve plans for a new Bournemouth nightclub.

Councillors consigned V nightclub to the history books and gave its successor 'Halo' a new licence after being persuaded the change represented a “clean break” for the troubled venue.

V Club, which had been run by James Beedham with help from consultant Richard Carr, was closed down following a serious stabbing incident in February.

Members of Bournemouth's licensing committee accepted signed affidavits from the new owners stating they had no connections with Mr Beedham or Mr Carr.

And they also made it a condition of the licence that both Mr Carr and Mr Beedham were barred from the premises and that neither men, or any of their relatives or business associates, could have any dealings with Halo, including working as a consultant or advisor for the club.

New owner Gary Bennetton was also told Halo had to sever all links with V Club. It's understood he intends to launch Halo this Saturday.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of licensing, said: “We're giving them a chance to bring some light back to this part of town and run a responsible business.

“We are expecting them to run it properly. Gary Bennetton has got a good track record in Southampton, where he has run the Orange Rooms for 13 years. Dorset Police made enquiries with Hampshire Police who have no concerns with the way he operates.

“We're confident he's going to be able to run a vibrant and safe venue and that it represents a clean break from what's happened in the past.”

Councillors also welcomed assurances the venue would not solely be a nightclub but would also be used for community events.

Other conditions imposed on the licence include a requirement to conduct random searches on a minimum of one in every 10 people entering the venue and a requirement to comprehensively train staff not to serve customers who are intoxicated.

Mr Bennetton was unavailable for comment.