The Tache on Cookson Street, Blackpool, has had its licence suspended for 14 days in punishment for a number of failings.

These include poorly maintained electrical installations, carpets "encrusted in filth", and "inadequate" protection of electrical terminals".

A Blackpool Council licensing panel also heard police had concerns about public order offences and the number of reported assaults.

On one occasion a man had had part of his ear bitten off.

The premises has 21 days in which to challenge the licence suspension and can remain open pending any appeal.

Licensee Ronald Blunden admitted they had become "lackadaisical" about some aspects of maintenance because the club – a well known rock venue – was operating in the shadow of an anticipated compulsory purchase order.

The premises is expected to be demolished some time next year to make way for the Talbot Gateway redevelopment.

But council health and safety inspector Gareth Shaw said that was no excuse for compromising safety.

He said: "They have allowed the premises to degenerate and that puts public safety at risk. There is this pressure that they are going to be demolished, but there is a business here and we must be seen to be promoting the public safety objective."

Health and safety officers found black mould on the ceiling of the cellar, broken toilets and a smashed door left unrepaired when they visited in July.

Police said there had been 23 crimes recorded in and around The Tache in the two years up to August, almost half of which were assaults.

Sgt Billy Giffin, of Blackpool Police's licensing department, said: "The Tache is on the border of an area where there is a high level of crime and disorder reported."

Mr Blunden said he had made a number of improvements to the premises and the issues raised by the health and safety team had now been resolved.

A new scanning device now checks the identities of all customers before they are allowed inside the club premises.

He said: "Last year we had a visit about the redevelopment and were told that in 2009 there would be a compulsory purchase order which has upset customers, staff and myself.

"I suppose we have got lackadaisical. The Tache crowd are very different from anywhere else. There is nowhere else for the moshers to go."

In giving their judgement the licensing panel said: "We appreciate the premises licence holder is trying to run a business with uncertainty in respect to a public compulsory purchase order. However they have allowed the building to fall into an appalling state."

Should The Tache be forced to close? Leave your thoughts below.