THE owners of nightclub One9Five have said they will challenge a decision by Epping Forest District Council to revoke their licence following a mass brawl outside the venue last month.

Last week the popular nightspot was shut down by the authority amid concerns about "escalating" crime and violence.

The decision came following the brawl in Cottis Lane and Epping High Street in the early hours of Saturday September 26, in which eight men were stabbed and dozens more injured.

Despite the ruling, One9Five's legal team has now said its owners have the "ultimate intention" of re-opening the venue "as soon as possible".

David Dadds, the club's lawyer, said licence holder Scott Cummings was awaiting the council's full decision in writing before deciding what to do next, but that an appeal against the ruling or an application for a new licence were possibilities.

He said: "Mr Cummings is very disappointed by the ruling.

"He believes that it is important to have a good working relationship with the council and the police.

"He is waiting for the full decision and then will be working with the police with the ultimate intention of opening the premises as soon as possible.”

The club's licence was revoked after a heated meeting of the council's licensing sub-committee, which heard statements from the police that crime had dropped in the area since the club's licence was suspended, with one officer warning that someone could die if the venue remained open.

But Mr Dadds challenged the police's statistics, and said the violence on September 26 was linked to neighbouring nightspot Club Edge.

But the councillors at the hearing were unconvinced, and ruled the club should be shut to prevent future serious crime and disorder.

Mr Dadds told the Guardian this morning: "The matter of September 26 has not been directly linked to our premises. It did not start at our premises - we can say that for sure."

“The club awaits the outcome of the police investigation and will assist them fully with their enquiries.”