The owner of a nightclub closed after being branded a magnet for gang members has been ordered to pay £11,000 in court costs.

Bar Se7en in Croydon High Street had its license revoked in February last year after a series of complaints from police about poor management and violence.

A report from police listed 35 reported crimes, 26 of which involved violence, since 2007 most of which were carried out between 2am and 3am.

Owner Seeven Aurokium appealed the decision and appeared before Croydon Magistrates Court for two days in September but on February 16 he withdrew his appeal.

Having racked up significant legal costs, Croydon Council applied for legal costs and was awarded £11,355 on February 28.

Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: “The council’s licensing sub-committee doesn’t take the decision to revoke a premises licence lightly.

“However, where the police show there is a real problem with a premises, it will take appropriate action and use the available powers.

“Similarly, where it’s felt that an appeal is wrong, the council will defend that appeal and will seek to recover legal costs from the appellant should the appeal fail or, as in this case, be withdrawn.”