A CITY centre bar which closed to step up its security after three stabbings reopened yesterday.

Walkabout, on Liverpool’s popular Concert Square, shut on Friday while a knife arch was installed and staff were trained to use ID scanners, recording the details of everyone in the premises.

Police have now said the bar can reopen.

Staff from the company met officers at a licensing hearing on Friday, after police raised serious concerns about violence at the bar.

In the early hours of last Tuesday, two men were stabbed at the venue, which had 20 violent incidents in 2008/09.

Last December, a doorman was stabbed in the buttock while breaking up a fight.

However, Walkabout said it wanted to take a pro-active approach to make sure the bar was a safe venue and police said yesterday they were satisfied it had done that.

A Walkabout spokesman said: “Before the hearing, Walkabout took the decision to temporarily close the venue and implement conditions that would reduce the risk of a similar incident happening again.

“These measures have now been implemented and the police are happy with the new security measures.

“As a result, the bar has now re-opened.”

Drinks will also be served in plastic glasses after 7pm and during major sporting occasions, and regular meetings will be held with the police.