Staff members held at gunpoint during robbery at Christchurch bar Brickworks

The Brickworks has been robbed for the second time in 15 days. Photo/Christchurch Star

A staff member at The Brickworks was forced to his knees at gunpoint and told to empty the tills during a terrifying bar robbery last night.

The man had moments earlier fired a shot through the locked door of the Cashmere bar on Centaurus Rd on Wednesday.

A nearby resident told Star.kiwi the robber repeatedly banged on the door and when staff did not responded he fired the weapon.

"It was so loud, you knew it was a gunshot as soon as you heard it."

Once inside, staff were lined up and corralled at gunpoint and one was forced onto his knees.

The witness, who did not want to be named, said there was about six people all with their hands up.

The offender made off towards Palatine Terrace where a car was waiting.

A police spokeswoman said there had been a robbery at the bar but said no further information was available.

It is the second time the Cashmere pub has been robbed; the previous break-in just 15 days ago.

On March 15 an offender pointed a shotgun at a woman behind the counter and made off with "thousands" from the till.