THE FATE of a controversial bar will be decided by councillors early in the new year.

Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the future of Switch Bar, in George Lane, South Woodford, on January 7.

The review follows a total of 45 complaints about noise and disturbance from local residents – largely about excessive noise at weekends, when the bar is open past midnight.

Councillors have the power to revoke the license altogether, or make a number of alterations to its terms to combat the high levels of noise.

The bar's owners have been served with a series of noise abatement notices since 2006, and have been visited by members of the council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team more than ten times.

However, a number of neighbouring residents and businesses have submitted letters of support to the bar.