The owner of Teignmouth's only nightclub has been told to clean up his act or face the possibility of having his business closed down.

The warning was issued last Thursday by district councillors after a string of complaints about noise, under age drinking, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Kools, in Northumberland Place, has been owned by Coffinswell businessman Graham Wilson since 1991.

The 61-year-old, a director of Belgravia Leisure Ltd, has run a number of clubs and pubs including the the Ferret and Radiator, Dawlish, and Wilsons on Babbacombe Downs.

He still owns F & R's, also in Northumberland Place and just yards from Kools.

Both are on the market as part of a retirement sale at £595,000 and £39,950 respectively.

District police chief Supt Jim Meakin had asked Teignbridge Council to review Kool's premises licence after a number of alleged breaches.

Force lawyer David Campbell outlined 12 incidents between May and October last year to which police had been called.

They included cases of alleged under age drinking, violent behaviour by door staff and street fights.

He put the blame squarely on Mr Wilson's poor management saying: 'The mischief was caused by a laissez-faire attitude on the part of the licence holder.'

However, he urged the committee to issue a warning, not shut the club down, as the rate of incidents had dropped 'dramatically' since November when Mr Wilson had implemented changes, particularly to door staff.

He suggested that any stiffer penalty was likely to be challenged by Mr Wilson's lawyer.

Explaining that a written warning would mean the committee could haul Mr Wilson back at any time and be almost guaranteed to revoke or suspend the licence without an appeal being sucessful he said: 'The best way is to hang a Damoclean sword over his head.'

The committee heard from neighbour Philip Bird who said his family had endured years of disturbance and threatening behaviour from Kools customers.

He said vomit, urine, smashed glass and condoms had littered the streets and that rowdiness continued until 4am on occasions.

'The noise is horrendous, me and my family are scared to walk past,' he said.

Teignmouth councillor Donald Baldey rejected any idea that Mr Wilson had made improvements and said: 'There are many more people too frightened to object. The owner drives around in his truck glaring at those people who have.

'My recommendation is at minimum close him down for at least a month.'

Mr Wilson was not present at the meeting his lawyer, Chris Hart, explaining he had flu.

He confirmed that any penalty other than a warning at this stage would be 'appealable' as his client had co-operated with police.

He said many of the problems had been attributable to an individual doorman, who could not be named, and who had since been dismissed after his accreditation with the Security Industry Authority had been called into question.

When the committee delivered its decision letter it said: 'We have given this matter a great deal of thought and we treat the complaints that have been received from the police and local residents very seriously.

'We have considered the representations from both Mr Campbell and Mr Hart on the appropriateness and proportionality of the range of sanctions open to us and in this case, given the recent improvement in the management of the premises, we are persuaded that the most appropriate and proportionate sanction is to issue a formal warning to the Premises Licence Holder.

'We acknowledge that the local residents will be disappointed with this decision. However it is important to highlight that this warning should not be taken lightly and it will be a material consideration should an application to review the licence on the same or similar grounds be made in the future, by the police, the local residents or by the council. '

The committee also urged 'in the strongest possible terms' that Mr Wilson took steps to further improve the conduct of door staff, to reduce noise, keep the area clean and free of glass and to install a CCTV camera in Osmonds Lane.

After the meeting chairman Cllr Ted Hockin told the Post: 'I would also hope that Mr Wilson finds it in himself to meet with residents and the police as there is much that could be done to improve relationships with neighbours, many of whom have felt intimidated for some time.'

p Many of the residents who complained about Kools were unhappy at what they believed was a 'lenient' decision by the committee, writes John Ware.

Ward councillor Don Baldey said he sympathised with the objectors, but thought the verdict was the best outcome in the long run.

'It was on the advice of the police solicitor. It means that if there are infringements of their licence in the future, action can be taken against them very swiftly.

'I understand the frustrations of people living in the area and when I have received a full transcript of the proceedings will be calling a meeting of the residents to explain the implications and give them a chance to put their point of view.

'I am hoping that the hearing will lead to a drastic improvement in the management of the club.'