ONE of Swindon's most popular nightlife spots could be forced to close its doors after serious concerns were raised about its connection to crime and disorder.

Tree, in Old Town's Hoopers Place, was opened to great fanfare in August 2016 following a multi-million pound refurbishment.

It is also home to the Rendezvous restaurant.

A star studded launch night attracted partygoers from across the town and in the 18 months since, it has continued to attract large crowds.

But that success has been marred by a number of disorderly incidents resulting in police involvement. Some have been so serious that injured revellers were treated in hospital.

But club owner, Alan Mok, has consistently defended his team, calling for people to be realistic about the challenges involved in preventing any disorder at a club the size of Tree.

Speaking after an incident in October last year that saw police called in to break up a large fight, Mr Mok said: "We have the biggest security team in Swindon and 40 cameras in the club.

"We're trying our best but it is a new nightclub with lots of people coming in and there will always be some drunk and disorderly behaviour."

But now it appears that the incidents have attracted the attention of Wiltshire Police's licensing team.

They have asked the council to review Tree's licence moving forward which could lead to changes to operating hours, new rules around security, or even to the club losing its licence altogether.

The licensing team provided the following grounds for requesting the review: "The premises has been the location for a number of crime and disorder incidents since it opened in August 2016.

"These incidents include grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, racially aggravated public order, criminal damage and drunk and disorderly incidents."

To make matters worse, it has emerged that a licensing inspection revealed that people either in the UK illegally or without the proper authorisation to work here had been employed at the venue.

It is a breach of the licensing act to "knowing employ persons who are unlawfully in the UK or who cannot lawfully be employed as a result of a condition on that person's leave to enter the UK."

In recent months, two separate premises in the town centre have had their licenses revoked in full by council panels after illegal immigrants were found to be working in them.

It is understood that Mr Mok, who saw great success as the owner of a number of restaurants prior to opening Tree, is expected to contest the claims made by Wiltshire Police.

He declined to comment when approached by the Adver, explaining that his legal team was handling proceedings.

Members of the public and businesses operating in the vicinity can make representations to the committee in writing or by email from now until November 3.

The panel hearing is expected to take place in late November or early December.

Tree and Rendezvous are free to keep trading as normal while the hearing preparations continue.