THE owners of a celebrity haunt in Whetstone facing a shutdown over Christmas say they have been caught in the middle of local politics.

On Friday, Barnet Council placed a 28-day suspension on the licence for Sutra in High Road after a large fight broke out at the venue the previous weekend.

Police were called to disperse a group of customers using glasses and bottles as weapons against each other.

Celebrities including ex-Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson and R&B singer Neo as well as Premier league footballers have frequented the bar.

It was given a licence in May despite opposition from 60 local residents and all three Totteridge ward councillors.

Socrates Protopapas, a joint director of the club, said they only learned of the expedited premises review from the Times Series website at 5am on Friday.

He said: “What's sad is 40 people we employ have lost their jobs just before Christmas and in a recession.

“Hundreds of other people will have their Christmas parties and other events in the next four weeks ruined because we can't open. We have had so many messages of support since this decision.

“I'm very disappointed such a small minority can ruin a business by their actions. I'm equally disappointed by the lack of support and faith given to us by local councillors.

“This venue has attracted celebrities from far and wide to the Whetstone area and that's no mean feat. I will defend this club to anyone who says it does not contribute to the local community positively.”

Mr Protopapas praised the work of local police in the area and admitted the club would be reviewing some procedures to avoid a repeat of the violence.

However, he said they would also be trying to get the ban overturned so they could try to reopen before Christmas.

The club will face a hearing to decide whether it should be allowed to keep its licence and any new conditions it should have imposed before the new year.

He added: “We have worked hard to engage the local community and have gone far and beyond our legal obligations with what we are doing and I felt we were close to appeasing them.

“It's a shame our elected politicians don't show us the same support as the public and now we have to rely on a panel of councillors who are influenced by other councillors.

“These councillors do not want to see us succeed and they have never given us a chance whatsoever. This is not a local issue, it's a business issue.”