Protests over later opening for Bognor nightclub

The pier's owner, John Ayers, has applied for a new premises licence for Visions to allow it to open until 5am every day.

Dancing would be allowed until closing time.

Alcoholic drinks would be sold until 30 minutes earlier.

Mr Ayers could also be granted permission to apply for a later closing time on up 12 occasions a year subject to ten days' notice being given to the police.

The nightspot is currently generally allowed to stay open until 3.30am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4.30am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 1am on Sundays.

The final alcohol has to be served half an hour beforehand under its current licence granted in 2005.

Mr Ayers' application for the longer hours for the club '“- which has a capacity of 1,200 customers, staff and performers '“ will be considered by Arun District Council's licensing sub-committee tomorrow afternoon at Bognor Regis Town Hall.

Its members have been told by Marine ward councillors Jim Brooks and Andrew Evans of their concerns about permitting clubbers to leave the seafront premises later.

Cllr Brooks said: "While I have not been contacted directly by residents on this matter, I am a member of the Marine neighbourhood management forum.

"The feeling among the residents attending is that this would be counter-productive to ongoing successful efforts to reduce noise and disorderly behaviour in our area, particularly late at night.

"Residents would always seek to support the pier where possible.

"However, those I have spoken to unanimously feel this is a step too far at present.

"Although I realise noisy and bad behaviour leaving Visions late at night is not directly the responsibility of the owner, I am concerned that having the prospect of clubbers on the street virtually all night will cause problems.

"I am concerned police will not be available at this late hour to deal with any possible trouble." Cllr Evans said he believed the current closing times for Visions were adequate.

"I do not support an extension to 5am," he said.

"As a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for part of Marine ward, I know many residents support this view.

"There is no Sussex Police presence at this time to quell disturbances caused by the patrons leaving the nightclub."

Sussex Police has also objected to the licence because it says it believes the proposals fail to adequately address matters such as crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of

public nuisance.

Bognor town councillors have protested as well.

They maintain the later closing time would cause more problems for nearby residents because the noise created by people leaving the premises would carry on longer.

They also worry it would encourage some takeaways to stay open longer and this would naturally increase the late-night noise levels for their nearby residents.

The licence application states the measures which Mr Ayers will take to maintain public safety.

It says a tamper-proof CCTV system will be in operation whenever the club is open.

At least four door staff will be on duty from 10pm until closing time. The ratio of door staff to customers will be at least one for every hundred.

"At closing time, no less than three door staff will patrol outside the premises including The Esplanade area at the entrance to the pier to ensure orderly dispersal of customers," it pledges.

"Sufficient staff will be employed on the premises at all times to ensure adequate control and supervision of the premises. There will be no drinks promotions intended to encourage excessive drinking."

The club will also belong to Bognor pub watch and keep radio links to

other members where these are available, it adds.