A POPULAR Darwen club which closed after police discovered evidence of alleged anti-social activities reopened its doors last night.

The Central Club, in Church Street, shut three weeks ago after officers found the licensee to be in breach of the conditions of his licence.

They did not reveal the exact nature of activities taking place but said they caused them "significant concern".

They visited the club last month following tip-offs from the public.

A member of the club's management was presented with evidence and although no blame was laid on the licensee, he agreed it would not be appropriate for the club to remain open in its current form.

Last night the club reopened its doors to members under the control of a new licensee and as a member of the popular Bar-U scheme which links town centre venues.

The scheme links 13 of Darwen's clubs by radio and encourages them to share information. If a customer is banned from one bar or club, they are barred from all in the scheme for up to one year.

Sgt Ian Hanson, of Darwen police, hailed the reopening as a success story.

He said: "I'm pleased to say that after extensive partnership work between police and the management committee, the licensing magistrates granted the club a licence to reopen.

"The club is now being run as members-only and has joined the Bar-U scheme, which is a partnership between town centre licenses, the local authority, and police.

"The club has shown its dedication by joining the scheme and has made enormous steps to literally put its house in order. Things are now in the control of the licensee who will be supported by the wider family of licensees involved in the scheme."

One of the club's co-owners, who did not wish to be named, said he would ensure tight controls were in place.

He said: "Strict management control will be implemented to make it a nice warm comfortable working club for all members."

The premises became the private Darwen Central Club around 10 years ago after the Central Conservative Club folded. The Conservative Club had been on the site since the First World War.