THE bar at the centre of Steven Gerrard brawl allegations has had its licence suspended.

The decision made yesterday morning at Southport Town Hall came into immediate effect after police listed damning security and management failures at the Lounge Inn.

Normally, an emergency 48- hour review is called after a shooting, knifing or serious glassing. The powers have been used on six occasions in Liverpool and this is the first time that Sefton Council has taken the extreme measure.

Calling for the licence to be suspended, Sergeant Nick Cowell said, “atrocious in-house management and lack of infrastructure”, had led to a series of serious incidents at the Bold Street night spot.

Describing the assault on David Jackson, of DP Joinery, on Easter Sunday, which prompted the emergency review, Sgt Cowell said: “Glassware was thrust into this individual’s face on two occasions, one to the central area and one to the jaw area.

“The victim will be permanently disfigured, scarred for life.”

Two earlier incidents, one involving the Liverpool captain, and another glassing in August, 2008, were used to illustrate a trend of serious crime at the bar.

Sgt Cowell said that the licence holders were rarely seen at the premises and described licence holders Mr Dario Luca Curcillo and Mr Antonio Curcillo as “extremely difficult to get hold of” and Mr Dario Curcillo as “the Scarlett Pimpernel”.

No representative from the Lounge Inn was present.

The Sefton Council sub-licensing committee granted the suspension of the licence until May 14, when a full hearing will take place.