THE FUTURE of a TOWIE nightclub is in doubt after a man was allegedly beaten up by “drug dealers” and dragged outside by bouncers who he claims “stole” his Rolex watch.

In October, 2016, the outlook for Essex House night club, in Station Road, Chingford, was looking bright with the council approving its request for a 2am alcohol license.

But only six months later the Metropolitan Police claim it has dealt with 11 incidents of crime and disorder, leading to the council suspending the club’s license on Saturday (April 21).

A “disappointed” club owner David King said the “punishment is completely disproportionate to the alleged events”.

The closure follows an assault in the early of hours of Easter Monday (April 17), when a man suffered “significant head injuries” inside the club, according to police.

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Under threat Essex House 

The victim told officers he was offered drugs as his group were getting ready to leave the club, when the “situation soured”.

He then alleges a suspect punched him to the floor as another kicked him while he was down.

At this point he said he was dragged out the rear fire escape into the alleyway by bouncers, where there is no CCTV, who then stole his Rolex watch.

Police confirmed others in the victim’s group also allege they were assaulted by the suspects.

In an interview under caution, one of the bouncers said the management are making “serious errors of judgement”.

He claimed the club was over capacity and did not have enough door staff to control the revellers.

The bouncer also said the suspects, who he described as “bullies”, regularly come in the club and he is told by the head door man and manager to let them in.

Mr King disputed the claim the club was over capacity saying it makes no business sense to ram people in together.

He said: “We are never over capacity and we had seven door staff on the night.

“I don’t know where he got all that from.”

In February, officers said they issued the club a warning but say this failed to prevent further incidents of crime and disorder.

Mr King said he received no formal warning and actively took steps in February to up the age limit from 18 to 20 to prevent potential disturbances.

He said: “It’s a good safe venue, it’s a nice place to be, and people like to go there.

“It’s full of local people, there’s fathers, sons and there’s mums and daughters.

“It’s not a place full of gangs and crime. Why would people keep coming back if it’s so horrible?”

Essex House can now make legal representations against the council’s decision, sparking a hearing within 48 hours.

In any event a full license review will take place within 28 days, with the council confirming an early May hearing is likely.