RESIDENTS living near a Weston bar are protesting against the venue’s proposals to open until 2am seven days a week.

Gregory Dudd, of Waggs Bar, wants to extend the hours he can serve alcohol and play recorded music at the St James Street watering hole.

But 20 people have put together a petition against the proposals amid concerns of an increase in antisocial behaviour.

They say that the bar is already too loud and claim they get problems with people shouting and fighting outside the building while they are trying to sleep.

At the moment the bar normally shuts at 11pm Monday to Thursday, at midnight Fridays and Saturdays and at 10.30pm on a Sunday, with exceptions around public holidays.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has also raised concerns about the proposals.

Liquor licensing enquiry officer Andrew Manhire says they have already had complaints of noise and nuisance and that when they requested signs be put up asking customers to leave quietly it was not done.

He added that on one occasion two separate calls were received about 20 people fighting at the venue and that extended hours would lead to increased crime and disorder there.

He said: “There have previously been concerns in relation to public safety at the premises.

“Any extension to hours will only increase public nuisance.”

The venue has not complied with an enforcement notice served on them by Avon Fire and Rescue Service in November in relation to some safety measures not being in place at the bar.

Following a meeting with North Somerset Council’s environmental protection team, Mr Dudd amended his original application and removed a request to extend his live music hours and has also offered to have a noise limiter installed in the bar and for staff to carry out external patrols of the front and rear of the premises.

A hearing is set to be held today (Thurs) at the Town Hall to decide on the application.