The landlord of a Watford bar, which was recently refused permission to extend its alcohol licence for one night, has said he working hard to change its reputation.

Watford Borough Council last week turned down a temporary event notice (TEN) application from Amber Rooms, in Queens Road.

The venue had hoped to serve alcohol until 2am as part of a special music event this Saturday, April 9.

But following evidence from police that revealed historical problems of excessive noise and "drug dealing”, members of the council’s licensing sub-committee rejected the proposals at a hearing on Tuesday, March 29.

Spencer Hoadly, Amber Room’s designated premises supervisor, said the music event would still take place, albeit finishing at the venue’s usual closing time of 11.30pm.

And he said he and his staff were working alongside police and the council to improve its reputation.

Mr Hoadly, who has been in charge for about 18 months, said: “The last six months, it’s changed massively to how it was.

“We’ve also employed doormen at the weekends. That’s helped with a lot of the problems.

“It has had a rough reputation. There did used to be a lot of drug taking in the pub. So it’s very hard to change the pub’s name but we are gradually doing that. We are doing the right things. It just takes time.”