THE future of a Southampton city centre nightclub is today uncertain.

The Rhino Club in Waterloo Terrace has been closed since May after a police probe.

Now its future is further in doubt after one of the club owner withdrew his bid to appeal against its licence being withdrawn.

Robin Felgate was due to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court to challenge Southampton City Council's decision to revoke the nightspot's licence.

But the case was scrapped when Mr Felgate, who has been associated with the club since 1977, withdrew the appeal and agreed to pay the council's costs.

It came as a fifth man appeared before magistrates charged with conspiracy to blackmail in relation to the club.

As reported in the Daily Echo Hampshire Constabulary applied to the council to revoke the licence after launching the investigation into an incident there A letter was sent to the council's licensing sub-committee by Superintendent James Fulton outlining the reasons why the club should no longer be allowed to trade.

During the hearing, that both press and public were banned from attending due to the police probe, members of the panel agreed that the licence should be withdrawn.

The investigation related to an incident at the club which is believed to have taken place when it was not open to the public.

Details of the suspected offences have not been disclosed by police due to the sensitivity of the investigation but it is understood that no one needed medical attention.

Speaking after the appeal hearing was cancelled, a council spokesman said: “The appellant has withdrawn the appeal and paid the council's costs as negotiated with us.”

It comes after Felgate and three other men appeared in Southampton Crown Court last week in connection with the lease of the club in Waterloo Terrace.

Felgate, 71, of Straight Mile, Ampfield, Adam Marjason, 35, of Barrington Court, Eastleigh, Satbir Giany, 23, of Saltmead, St Denys, Southampton, and Yousef Boutayeb, 29, from London have been charged with conspiracy to blackmail in relation to the club Their bail was extended to March 27 when they will attend a plea and case management hearing.

Meanwhile Trevor Ndikanwu, 35, of Mawbey Street, London, appeared briefly appeared in Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with conspiracy to blackmail.

He was bailed to return to the city's crown court on Friday, February 6, and has yet to enter a plea.