CHARGES against the former licensees of a controversial town centre bar which was closed by police have been dropped.

Joint licensees Fajul Patel and Gino DiFilippo had been charged with stealing a 'Hot as Hell' gaming machine worth £3,000 belonging to Red Rose Leisure from the Cheers bar.

They were also charged with having no CCTV at the premises, but the proceedings have now been discontinued. Both had denied the offence.

A spokesman from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “I can confirm that the case against both defendants was discontinued following a further recent review of all the evidence in the case. Following that review it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Mr Patel was evicted from the King William Street premises and the building was closed last month.

He had been living inside against the wishes of landlords Hurstwood Group and police said they were investigating claims boozy underage parties were being held on the premises.

Hurstwood also moved in to secure the premises.

The closure marked the end of a lengthy episode of controversy for Cheers bar and the adjoining Bella Roma restaurant, which had its licence revoked last year over mass violence, underage drinking and drug use.