Shrewsbury bar and club apply to stay open until 4am

Michael Page, owner of Source Vodka Bar at Barker Street, and Bonds at Lower Claremont Bank, has submitted an application to the authority seeking to extend drinking hours.

Currently Bonds, a nightclub, is licensed to sell alcohol and play live or recorded music from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday, closing at 3.30pm.

The application seeks to extend the serving hours and those during which music is allowed, to 4am, from Monday to Saturday, with a closing time of 4.30pm.

The application also seeks to extend the Sunday serving hours from 1am to 2am.

The proposal for Source Vodka Bar requests permission to vary the license and allow drinking until 4am from Wednesday to Saturday.

West Mercia Police have submitted objections to both applications, citing the potential for increased crime, and disruption to people living nearby.

The report says: "West Mercia Police have submitted a representation referring to the potential for an increase in hours for alcohol consumption being a factor in increased crime/disorder.

"Further, that the premises is in the town centre, with a large number of residential premises being planned. Further extension to the hours could have a detrimental effect on quality of life."

Earlier this month Shropshire Council granted permission for Mr Page to open a lap-dancing club - situated above Source Vodka Bar.

The report also features an objection from a member of the public who raises concerns over noise from people and music.

It states: "One representation has been received from other persons, who have concerns in respect of crime and disorder, public nuisance and public safety. Principally the concerns relate to the nuisance that might be caused, with the hours increased and in particular the noise from music and customers on leaving.

"Additionally there are great concerns regarding the behaviour of people at night when around the premises."

In December Shrewsbury Town Council announced that it will be calling on Shropshire Council to restrict new drinking licences, or renewals, to 2am.

In a letter to the authority, it said: "When premises licences come up for renewal, members would like to see conditions imposed whereby no admission and no alcohol sales are allowed after 2am and premises are closed by 3am."

Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents Quarry and Coton Hill, has been a vocal critic of the extension of drinking hours in the town.

He said: "If you have a town with a mixture of residents and businesses you have to have a bit of give and take and I think the problem we have, over the last few years, is it has been give, give, give by the residents, and take, take, take by the late night economy.

"There is a direct correlation between the number of premises and the number of people on the streets and the amount of problems and nuisance."

Mr Page said he did not wish to comment.