A town centre nightclub could be forced to close after becoming a hotspot for assaults, arrests and road closures in the last few years.

Friar Street club Matchbox will have its licence reviewed at Reading Borough Council (RBC) next Thursday (January 30), joining Yates on the chopping board.

A man died outside the club in April after being punched and hitting his head on the floor.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) asked for the review after the latest violent incident occurred in the early hours of December 7, 2019.

Matchbox were warned just earlier that day (on December 6) another incident would lead to a review.

READ MORE: Winning bidder Greenwich Leisure outlines sport and fitness vision in Reading

PC Simon Wheeler, a licensing officer at TVP, said the review is necessary “due to the severity of the issues” at the venue over the last two years and the failure to address this.

In the latest incident, police reported a fight between two groups in the venue, including the throwing of chairs, which spilled out onto the street after three males were removed.

A police officer at the scene said the three males tried to regain entry to continue the fight by punching and kicking the doormen and subsequent fights between the two groups broke out.

The officer said the club’s staff struggled to keep the groups away from each other, did not assist in clearing the street and “clearly have some form of relationship with members of the larger group and consistently let them in most weeks”.

READ MORE: Pavlov's Dog set for name change and new look

The RBC report details how Matchbox owners Big Smoke Brew Pub Co LTd told Thames Valley Police in December that it intends to turn the club into a micro-brewery.

PC Wheeler said the venue’s hours of operation should be reduced to better reflect the business style proposed by the owners.

Jean Champeau, senior licensing and enforcement officer at RBC, has recommended stronger action, suggesting the licence be revoked and the owners be allowed to apply for a new licence in line with this intention.

The club is currently licensed to sell alcohol and to play live and recorded music from 11pm – 2am, Sunday – Wednesday and 11pm – 230am Thursday – Saturday.

Opening times are 8am – 230am, Sunday – Wednesday and 8am-3am, Thursday – Saturday.

Matchbox is not the only venue having its licence reviewed next week, with Yates – having already had its licence suspended earlier this month – now facing a hearing next Friday (January 31) on its future.