LICENCING chiefs are set to decide on whether to grant a city centre nightclub an extension to its opening hours, making it the latest venue in the city.

Vodka's application to remain open and serve booze until as late as 4am will go before Winchester City Council's Licencing Sub-Committee on Monday, October 17.

The Upper Brook Street venue is a mecca for students and is currently allowed to open until 1.30am Monday to Wednesday, until 2.30am Thursday to Saturday and until midnight on Sunday.

However, co-owners Kalvin Collymore and Lee Davies, who moved to the city in 2005, have grand plans for the club, and as well as recently completing a £130,000 refurbishment to upgrade its toilets, welfare facilities, layout and soundproofing, they hope to extend their licence to 3am Monday to Wednesday, and 4am Thursday to Saturday.

The council has received representation from 12 people regarding the proposals, all of which are against the move.

Some locals have said they are "horrified" by the prospect of later kick-out times and fear it may lead to further antisocial behaviour.

Among those who have objected is Cllr Charles Radcliffe, ward member for St Michael. He said: "If Vodka were situated in a more remote location, or in a purely commercial or industrial area, longer hours of operation might be considered without regard to the impact on residents living nearby.

"But that is not the case here: Vodka is surrounded by homes - both further along Middle Brook Street and to the rear along the eastern side of Parchment Street - some are literally within shouting distance."

He added: "As a city councillor, I support the council's efforts to expand the night-time economy and hospitality options in the city, including for younger residents.

"But as a ward councillor, I understand the concerns expressed by local residents in respect of this particular application.

"A balance needs to be struck between the interests of the business and those of people living nearby. Arguably, the existing license strikes that balance adequately; the requested variation does not."

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Despite residents' fears, Mr Collymore and Mr Davies insist the application has a much broader scope than just the opening hours and will include the introduction of additional safeguarding measures such as the city's first ID scanner, further CCTV, a trained welfare officer and increased security patrols. 

Rich Sims, who is a consultant for the club, said: “Winchester only has one nightclub, and for it to survive and modernise it needs to be recognised as such. So, just getting that terminal hour helps.

"But, there's no point going for the terminal hour if you aren't going to look at the whole business from start to finish. This is where the layout changes come in. The changes will stop any noise from escaping from the club rooms and make customers more comfortable as they're going around, as well as the introduction of a new medical facility.

"You want Winchester to have a nightclub they can be proud of and feel safe in. As a parent myself I want to know wherever my girls go out there is a responsibility on the club and its security for their safety. The guys here have done a lot off their own backs, including introducing ID scanners which they're not required by licence to do, in order to create that environment." 

In agreement with the council, Vodka held a trial month for the new opening hours and dispersal policy earlier this year. During that time, it says the authority didn't receive any complaints regarding noise or anti-social behaviour. 

As part of the proposals, bouncers would patrol the wider city centre to make sure people disperse and get home safely. 

Mr Sims added: "By having that extra hour your security team and your management team have more control of that environment. No longer will people be getting kicked out around town at the same time, nor will they be congregating at the food outlets as they will be closed by the time the venue shuts. People will disperse naturally and at different times.

"The guys have allowed the dispersal policy to encompass not just the direct area outside the venue but the wider city centre. So, the security team at the very end of the night will go round and walk the streets of Winchester, looking for anybody that's in a vulnerable state, ultimately giving that extra layer of protection that sometimes not even the police have the resources to provide."

The Sub-Committee will meet at 1pm to decide the fate of the application.