A BAR threatened with closure after a man was stabbed outside has been allowed to stay open.
However, the manager on the night, who police claim took a knife from one of the suspects and helped him escape, has been banned from taking a senior role.
Bar 113, in Hounslow High Street, was subjected to an emergency licensing review after a 24-year-old man was stabbed outside on Saturday, May 11.
The man's kidney was punctured, but his injuries are not believed to have been life-changing.
Although the fight itself was in no way connected with the pub, police were concerned about the actions of Sofiane Mihoub, who was acting as the manager at the time.
Speaking at a licensing panel meeting last Wednesday (June 13), Rory Clarke, representing the police, said: "The actions of removing a knife from a person involved in a fight and later, it seems, denying having the knife or helping him escape gave very serious cause for concern about his actions and his continued responsibility for these premises."
The licensing panel agreed to allow the bar to stay open provided Mr Mihoub was not employed in a managerial position. He was allowed to continue working behind the bar.
It also required the bar to employ at least two bouncers on Friday and Saturday evenings, among other conditions, all of which the bar's premises licence holder Lia Chekurishvili was happy to comply with.
At the time of the stabbing, the pub was already subject to a closure order because the team who took it over nine months ago had not completed the necessary paperwork to transfer management. This has since been done.
The panel also heard there had been a number of complaints by neighbouring residents about noise from the pub, which is open until 2am at weekends.
Ms Chekurishvili agreed not to play live or recorded music on the ground floor after 11pm, but music was allowed to continue until later in the bar's basement.
A police spokesman said no arrests had been made in connection with the stabbing but the investigation was ongoing.
