Bosses at Oceana will appeal against Kingston Council’s decision to revoke the club’s licence following the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old clubber.

A spokeswoman for Luminar Leisure said the club would appeal as the decision to revoke the license was "disproportionate and inappropriate".

The club would have had to close on December 11 if it had not put together a legal appeal.

The Luminar spokeswoman said: “Oceana has been a key part of the Kingston night-time economy for over 20 years and employs 200 people locally.

“Our management team has worked hard to build productive relationships with the police and local authorities.

“We are always conscious of our neighbours and have taken various steps to minimise disruption and have not received a single complaint from residents during the last six years.

“The safety and security of our customers is and always has been our main priority.

"Over the last five years violent crime has decreased and, of those crimes, over 88% were down to the theft and loss of mobile phones which distort the overall figures.

“We look forward to working closely with the local Kingston community, licensing and police teams to maintain the safest possible environment for our customers to enjoy a great night out."

The Clarence Street venue will remain open until the appeal is heard at a magistrates' court, whose ruling will be final.

A sub-committee made up of councillors decided to withdraw the nightclub's licence at an all day hearing at Guildhall in Kingston on September 20, following an application from the Metropolitan Police.