D-DAY has arrived for a popular Poole music venue forced to the brink of closure over allegations of serious crime.

Today’s hearing at Upton House will determine the future for the venue, which played host to double Brit Award winner Tinie Tempah only last year.

Chords was shut suddenly by Dorset Police and Poole council last month. The problems are believed to centre on incidents of alleged violence at the Kingland Road bar.

Chords’s licence was suspended and they failed with an appeal against the initial decision.

The bar’s owners, Lorraine Vogts and her son Karl, have been hauled before the council’s licensing board.

Mrs Vogts said she desperately feared for the future of her bar.

“We have offered to put a new management team in place but they aren’t interested,” said Lorraine.

“We feel we are being victimised.” Hundreds of emails and letters of support from custormers have been collected, all emphasising the bar’s friendly atmosphere.

“The support has been fantastic,” said Ms Vogts, who also stands to lose her home should the bar be closed for good.

“But we have lost thousands of pounds.” she added. “We can’t even afford a lawyer for our hearing.”