WEYMOUTH Town Council has objected to proposals for a Weymouth bar and adjoining nightclub to operate under one licence.

The Closet Bar and Nightclub and adjoining Somewhere Else Bar, on the corner of Maiden Street and St Edmund Street, has applied for both premises to operate under one licence amid plans to create one larger venue by knocking through an adjoining wall.

Management said there would be a bar on one side and a nightclub the other, with access to both internally - and that the proposed new licence would enable the business to operate with one entrance and exit instead of two, giving door staff more control of people leaving the premises.

At a recent Planning and Licensing committee meeting, town councillors objected to the change in licence, on grounds of public disorder.

Councillors initially said they wanted to ask for more details about the plans - but it was pointed out that only two days remained until the deadline for responding - and so a unanimous vote was taken to object.

The changes to the buildings did not form part of the discussion.

Councillor David Northam said: "I think we should continue to treat (the bar and nightclub) as separate premises and on that basis I would recommend we object."

Chairman of the committee councillor Lucy Hamilton said: "If we object then it will have to go for a full investigation at Dorset Council and there can be further discussion.

"It then doesn't delay the process and it provides satisfaction for the residents and satisfaction for the licensee in that they can fully explore these issues."

It came after a statement was read out on behalf of residents' group 'Respect Weymouth' outlining concerns about potential impacts of having one licence instead of two - including noise levels from the premises and anti-social behaviour in nearby streets.

The application will now go before Dorset Council's Licensing committee.

After the vote was taken cllr Hamilton added: "I would like to note that I am really encouraged about the level of detail in the application about dispersal (customers leaving) and about litter. Careful thought has been given by the licensee."

Commenting after the meeting, manager of The Closet and Somewhere Else Jamie Crage, said: "I will continue to work with licensing and work with the local residents and hopefully it will be resolved."