A CONTROVERSIAL club has closed following allegations that drug-dealing and under-age drinking have taken place on the premises.

Council chiefs had been due to meet this week to consider a plea from the police to strip the Fordingbridge Club of its licence.

But the meeting was cancelled after the licence was handed in by Joanne Timmins following her decision to resign as the designated premises supervisor.

In 2008 the venue was linked to the death of Shaun Wells, 24, of Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge, who was found dead in bed.

A police investigation revealed that he had collapsed the night before after drinking heavily and taking drugs he had obtained at the club.

His death is one of several incidents mentioned in a 98-page report that would have been debated by the district council’s licensing sub-committee had the club not surrendered its licence.

Ms Timmins took over in April 2008 – three months after the death of Mr Wells.

Speaking last month she said “harassment” from the police was one of the reasons why she had resigned as the designated premises supervisor.

She added: “Since I took over four years ago there have been no drug raids and no drug-dealing on the premises.

“Kids of 14 or 15 come in to play pool, which is a good way of keeping them off the streets, but they only drink cola and lemonade.”