A city centre club has been forced to temporarily close after 'gang members' were allowed in, and after a brawl involving 15 people.

Councillors ruled that The Press Club in Queen Street cannot trade until October 28, when a full licensing review will be held at Manchester town hall.

After the case club bosses told the M.E.N they were disappointed but confident they would be able to re-open following the next hearing.

A town hall hearing this morning heard that there had been an “alarming number of assaults” at the venue over the past 10 months.

Police added that there had been a 'noticeable change in clientele' and that a 'large proportion of known gang members are now patrons'.

PC Alan Isherwood told the hearing that gangs from Salford, Cheetham Hill and south Manchester have frequented the venue.

Greater Manchester's cold case murders: A special report

PC Isherwood said: “Officers have described the clientele as openly hostile to them and clearly anti-police.”

GMP were most recently called at about 4.40am on October 1, when three people were bottled during a “large scale disturbance” inside the club involving up to 15 people.

One man suffered a four inch gash to his head, another male had a cut lip and the third male suffered swelling to his left eye.

Police said no customers would assist with inquiries, including the victims, and no arrests have been made.

The M.E.N. previously reported on an incident at about 3am on June 18, in which shocking footage shows a man suffering a broken jaw after being punched outside the club, and then suffering fractured ribs after being stamped on as he lay on the ground.

The attack was only reported to police on June 29, and no arrests have been made following a public appeal.

PC Isherwood told the hearing: “The severity of this attack and complete lack of regard for human life shown by this offender is truly shocking.”

GMP has also been called out to five other incidents of violence since the start of this year.

PC Isherwood added: “GMP have serious concerns as to the levels and frequency of violence occurring at the premises, and by the demographic of the patrons who are frequenting there.”

Hainsley McFayton, the owner of the Press Club, which opens on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm to 6am, told the hearing that he had recently taken on new security staff after three long serving doormen retired or moved to new roles.

The club has members, but is also open to certain professions on showing their ID, including NHS staff, lawyers, and journalists.

Gavin Clarke, his lawyer, said: “The allegation that it is a haven for criminals is not one that is recognised by my client.

“It is a haven for bankers, lawyers and accountants, as much as anybody else.

“That said, clearly the incident on October 1 is deeply regretted. It is not typical of what happens at the Press Club on Friday or Saturday night.”

He claimed that the police statements read out were “laced with hyperbole”, and that it was the first such hearing Mr McFayton has had to attend in his near 10 years as the boss of the club.

Mr McFayton said there were a “few bad apples” in the club on the night of October 1, and that a number of actors and lawyers were there as well.

He said: “It was an absolutely cracking night until this incident.”

Footage showed that glass bottles were being sold in the club, which was a breach of their licence which states alcohol must be served in shatterproof glass.

Mr McFayton said he accepted the finding, and on his behalf Mr Clarke added that the club will abide with the councillors’ decision and make improvements.

Barbara Gora, the council’s legal adviser said that the decision was made because of concerns about violent incidents, the breach of licence with bottles being sold, problems with security staff and a lack of knowledge by club bosses about licencing.

The Press Club was originally opened in 1870 as a drinking establishment for late-finishing journalists, and its website says it continues to be popular with the media and celebrities working in the city.

It was re-opened in 1977 by Princess Margaret, the Queen’s late sister, after renovation work was carried out.

Recent incidents at The Press Club

January 1, 2016, 6.38am Man punched in the head, suffered cuts. No arrests

May 29, 2016, 5.59am Woman assaulted by five men who had punched her leaving her unconscious. Claims door staff who saw the attack told her to go to hospital and phone the police after being discharged. No arrests

June 18, 2016, 3am Man suffers broken jaw, fractured ribs, open wound to the back of his head and wound on forehead which needed gluing, after being punched and stamped on outside the club. No arrests

June 19, 2016, 4.27am Woman punched in the face by a man which caused her to fall backwards onto the floor, injuring her back. No arrests

July 27, 2016, 4am Man suffers cut to the head after being bottled. It is believed the bottle was thrown at him. No arrests

September 24, 2016 Woman claims she was punched in the face by another woman after an argument over a handbag. No arrests

October 1, 2016, 4.40am Large scale disturbance involving 15 people. Three men bottled and suffered facial injuries. No arrests

Greater Manchester's cold case murders: A special report

Read our in-depth series of reports on seven of the unsolved murders still being investigated by Greater Manchester Police, here ... cases include the naming of a man thought to have played a part in the murder of Jessie James in Moss Side in 2006, and a fresh appeal over the death of a young couple found bludgeoned in their bed in the 1970s