A TROUBLED nightclub in the heart of the town centre which has seen a dancefloor stabbing and riots could be torn down by developers.

Reading Borough Council received a demolition notice from Moorgarth Properties to knock down Eva's on Hosier Street.

It is thought work could start on March 1 and last for a period of four weeks while the surrounding buildings are also removed as part of the wider regeneration of the town centre.

The council revoked the licence for Eva's in September after a series of brawls, with Thames Valley Police raising concerns over nighttime safety in the area.

Charles Mortimer, from Moorgarth Properties, said: "[The developer] has been granted planning permission to develop an urban market at its Broad Street Mall shopping centre in Reading.

"The club and barn are in a poor state of repair and we are looking to redevelop the area as part of the wider regeneration.

"The Buildings will be demolished by demolition machinery, sections of the building may need to be demolished by hand.

"[We] are looking to redevelop the area as part of the recently approved container scheme. The restoration of the site will allow for the continue regeneration of Hosier Street.

The club was the scene of a mass fight in August, with 200 revellers taking to the streets after being thrown out of the premises.

Reports then emerged of bouncers taking selfies as the police dog unit arrived, with drunk party-goers throwing drinks and verbal abuse at the officers.

Five days before officers had attended Eva's at 2.30am to find an aggressive crowd of hundreds of people.

Around 20 officers rushed to the area to control the scene. It later came to light that a man had been slashed across the stomach with a large knife.

Work is expected to be completed by the start of April.

The old management team unsuccessfully appealed the decision of the licensing sub-committee to suspend the licence before it was permanently revoked.