A CLITHEROE councillor has called for a zero-tolerance policy after a bar was granted a late drinking licence.

The town centre bar and music venue Key Street has been granted a 3am licence which comes into effect immediately.

But local councillor, Susan Knox, said there should be a zero-tolerance approach to drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

The bar, in the Lowergate area, is the second venue to be granted a late licence in the town following Carlito’s Cocktail Bar last year.

Coun Knox, who objected to the licence, said: “Lowergate is an area of the town that has a school, church, social club and 65 residential properties. It is amazing to me that it is deemed acceptable for a licensed premises to be allowed to remain open until 3am on a regular basis.

Previously, the bar’s licence allowed drinking until 1am. The new licence means drinks can be served until 2am, with dancing until 2.30am and customers leaving the premises by 3am.

Coun Knox, said: “Local residents are already subject to regular disruption by drunken revellers making their way home in the early hours and they have now been failed by licensing regulations which put the burden of proof on the residents themselves to stop an application being passed.

“I will continue to work with them and do my utmost to ensure that both the police and Ribble Valley Borough Council adopt a zero-tolerance approach to drunkenness.”

After residents raised objections to the revised hours police moved to offer reassurance stating all bars were subject to ongoing supervision.

Sergeant John Lynsey, licensing officer for Clitheroe police, said: “In respect of the Keystreet application, there was insufficient evidence for police to object on the grounds of crime and disorder, which is the main objective that police are concerned with.

“Representations were made to ensure that certain conditions, such as the requirement to have two registered door staff on at certain times were annexed to the bar’s license.

“If there are problems in the future, at these or any other licensed premises, then the police can apply for a review of the premises license.

“Again, any such application must be properly evidenced.”

No-one at the bar was available for comment.