The Light Bar, in Chatsworth Road, was applying for a two-hour extension to sell alcohol and provide entertainment, until 2am; and for an extra three hours – until 3am – on Sundays preceding bank holiday Mondays.

In each case, the bar would stay open 30 minutes after the sale of alcohol ended.

Sussex Police wanted the Sunday morning extension to be limited to only one hour, and that there should be no change to the present midnight limit on the alcohol-sales licence on Sundays preceding a bank holiday Monday.

Police licensing officer Mike Webb said in his report to the council's licensing and control committee: "The latest premises to operate on a Sunday night within the town centre is the Pier Nightclub, which has an alcohol licence until half-past midnight, closing 30 minutes later.

"All other premises close earlier. This does, then, afford the residents of the town centre a night off from late-night revelry. The proposed variations do present a potential risk, it is believed, of crime and disorder, and of public nuisance."

Opposition

Three local residents, from Liverpool Road and Chapel Road, opposed the application.

One wrote: "Sleep deprivation for me and my wife during the week, crime and disorder, street violence and shouting, are all directly associated with extended hours.

"Festive nights over Christmas, OK, but we work during the week and I doubt the Light Bar will be escorting people home quietly at 2-3am on a Monday morning."

The Chapel Road resident also complained about early-hours disturbances, and referred to a Friday night mugging outside his front door at 2.45am.

"Blood still remains on the street and I was blocked in my house until the police had conducted their forensics, which finished at 10am Saturday morning," he wrote.

-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk