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Police fear pub will attract yobs
A town centre pub is facing strong opposition to a bid to extend its opening hours until 4am at weekends.
Lounge One, in Rushden High Street, has asked East Northamptonshire Council's licensing panel to allow it to open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, New Year's Eve and on bank holiday Sundays.
But its application has been opposed by Northamptonshire police, which received 23 calls about crime and disorder at the pub in the past 12 months, Rushden traders and Rushden Town Council.
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In a letter to the district council, licensing officer PC Kevin Murphy said: "Police officers are regularly called to deal with incidents involving drunkenness and violence both inside and outside the premises.
"It's our opinion any extension of hours granted for this venue will increase the likelihood of crime and disorder."
PC Murphy also attached details of incidents recorded by the police during the past 12 months, which included a fight outside last June, which involved knuckle-dusters, and a knifepoint robbery in August.
A spokesman for Rushden Town Centre Partnership added: "As traders in the town centre, we're aware problems continue in the High Street to 3am and beyond, as people hang around causing anti-social behaviour and damage.
"Our fear and concern is if the licence is extended to 4am, there will be people in the High Street in a drunken state until 5am or later.
"As traders, we could be faced with turning up for work and meeting these stragglers from the night before outside our premises."
A spokesman for the pub said he did not feel the objectors' views were accurate.
He said: "Since we took over the pub two years ago there's been a huge decrease in criminal behaviour and violence around the premises.
"We understand people's concerns and want to work with them."
He added the change would hopefully encourage more people to choose a night out in Rushden rather than going elsewhere and would enable people working at other pubs to enjoy themselves after work in the town rather than having to travel to Northampton or Wellingborough.
The pub also wants to be able to stay open an hour extra on the day the clocks move forward.
The council's licensing panel will discuss the application on Friday.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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