PURPLE Turtle has withdrawn its application to serve alcohol as part of the redevelopment of the basement, it has been revealed.

The owners of the popular town centre bar had previously sought permission to serve alcohol once it completes the expansion into the vacant building next door.

However, the council revealed today (February 23) the application has been withdrawn.

The decision comes in light of criticism from Thames Valley Police (TVP), who feared the serving of alcohol would increase the risk of violence in the area.

The redevelopment will allow the Gun Street bar to hold an extra 200 customers, but TVP insisted the council reject the application to serve booze.

Greg Muden, joint owner of the Purple Turtle, said the expansion project would now be put on hold. 

He said: "Over the last 30 years, our bar has become an indelible part of the Reading late night scene but the expansion of the basement would give us greater flexibility to provide a wider variety of entertainment (e.g. More live music,comedy and theatre), and provide better facilities. 

"For now we have had to put our plans ‘on the back burner’ for a short period, as we first want to demonstrate that the negative aspects of the objections to our application for a licence to cover the extended area, are open to a different (and more positive!) interpretation. 

"In the last 3 years, almost 1,000,000 people have visited our bar – a sign not only of its popularity but must put any negative; sweeping data into perspective.  

"Our venue is enjoyed by many – being a professionally run late night venue offering something different from the chain venues elsewhere in Reading."

A response to the application from the force reads: "TVP along with Reading Borough Council held a meeting with the owners of the venue where the violent crime and disorder issues related to the current premises between 1st January 2014 and 31st October 2016 were discussed and the levels of incidents were outlined to them.  

"The applicants who also advised that the extension into number 10 would not lead to an increase in cumulative impact.

"Despite this from November 1 2016 to date TVP have received reports of fourteen incidents at the premises, nine of them being assaults, these are the incidents that have been reported as there is evidence of an unreported incident.

"Due to the anticipated and ongoing violent crime and disorder TVP are objecting to the application for number 9 Gun Street, Reading."

A spokesman for Reading Borough Council added: "The Licensing Applications Sub-Committee due to consider the Purple Turtle application next Tuesday (February 28) has been cancelled after it was withdrawn by the applicant."

Purple Turtle has been approached for comment.