A COCKTAIL bar was refused permission to extend its opening hours.

Pendle councillors blocked a proposal to increase the opening times of Barrowford bar The Lounge.

Bosses at The Lounge wanted a 2am closing time on Saturdays – an hour later than present – and an extra half-hour on a Friday with a 1am finish.

The decision came following concerns from neighbours over noise levels and drunk people on the street.

Bosses at the Lounge promised to have door security from 8pm onwards and install an indoor CCTV system.

Owner Gareth Bradshaw and manager Adam Foster defended the application and said it was necessary to ensure the survival of the business by bringing in an extra £500 an hour.

Mr Foster, who took over as manager earlier this year, said: “Some people think we are being greedy but there is calculated cost and this would be beneficial for the business in the long term. Supply costs are going under up and there is an increase in the national minimum wage.

“There are 20 employees who live locally in Barrowford and they would not like to see this have to close. We need the extra hours to keep the business afloat.”

Owner Mr Bradshaw added: “We are fighting against people in Colne and Burnley. If customers do not want to go home at night they go to Colne, which has crazy licensing hours, or Burnley.”

Two residents and a representative from Pendle Council’s environmental health department objected to the proposal.

Gemma Cothliff, a tenant in the property next to the bar, said: “I moved in in October 2017. I was under the impression it was nice. I put up with it as a bar but it then became a nightclub. The music now is unbearable and I can't even hear the TV."

Holly Stinchon, who owns the neighbouring property, added: "This is not how the business was presented at the start. The bar was not about being a late-night drinking establishment. It was supposed to be a family bar cafe that would be not open late."

Jackie Dickinson, the commercial leader for environment health, said: “I have been involved with complaints in the Lounge over the last year. We have used various methods to check, including a noise app and recording equipment. It was proved that the complaints we received were justified.”

A majority of the licensing committee members voted against the proposal on the grounds they were not satisfied the issues of public nuisance could be mitigated.

After the meeting Ms Stinchon said: "The council made a fair and balanced decision. I'm pleased with the result."

The applicants left the Nelson Town Hall meeting before the final result was announced.