One of the top rated bars in Woodford Green has been denied permission to open for an extra two hours at weekends as authorities tried to avoid a “Funky Mojoe situation”.

The owners of Seasons Bar in Broadway, Woodford Green, formerly known as The Vault, were told that they would not be allowed to extend the sale of alcohol for one hour each on Friday and Saturday evenings.

An extra hour each evening would have seen the bar, which is rated at number three of 36 in Woodford Green on the TripAdvisor website, serving until 1.30am.

However the licensing committee for Redbridge Council decided on Tuesday that although the establishment is well thought of, they would not risk the problems which palgued the Funky Mojoe nighclub in High Street, South Woodford.

The club has been locked in a long-running legal battle with the council after its opening hours were cut due to crime and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Linda Huggett said extended drinking hours are not welcomed in Wanstead and Woodford.

She added: “The area did not support this so it is an important decision.

“We have been through the mill on this and we are very happy with the result.

“Vault is well run and we have not had any problems, but problems could have occurred in the future and we did not want another Funky Mojoe situation.”

Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Woodford Green also supported the decision.

He said: “I was very pleased to hear that the Vault/Seasons Bar has been refused a later licence. I think this sends a clear message from the Council that Woodford is a residential area and not one suited to a night-time economy.

“I have been working closely with residents to prevent this bar from turning into a nightclub and I think we have achieved a positive result here. I will continue to keep an eye on the situation.”

Funky Mojoe is currently appealing a landmark High Court ruling which rejected its application for a judicial review.

Seasons Bar, which changed its name at the end of last year, has been asked to comment.