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Four of Newcastle’s most popular nightclubs have been shut down days before the busiest week of the year.

House of Smith, Madame Koo and Floritas, all on the Collingwood Street “Diamond Strip”, plus Empress on Side, have been closed with immediate effect.

The closures are the result of an operation launched earlier this year targeting drug dealing in and around city centre bars and coincide with 11 arrests on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

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Northumbria Police said the force has taken the action due to “concerns about serious criminal activity, namely the supply of Class A drugs, taking place both on and near to the premises”.

The bars hit are at the centre of Newcastle’s booming nightlife scene and attract thousands of revellers every week.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

With just days to go until the Christmas and New Year week, one of the busiest of the year, it represents a massive blow for the city’s nightlife scene.

Chief Inspector Dave Pickett, of Northumbria Police’s Newcastle city centre unit, said: “We enjoy a really positive relationship with our licensing partners in the city centre and the decision to issue closure notices has not been taken lightly.

“Northumbria Police has a duty to ensure that those coming to our city centres to enjoy a night out can do so in a safe and responsible manner.”

The bars will remain closed until a hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday when it will be decided whether they will be lifted or will remain in place.

ChronicleLive has attempted to contact the owners of House of Smith, Madame Koo and Floritas, and Empress Bar but has yet to receive a response.