A TOWN centre bar is in a battle with campaigners over its plans to serve booze until 2am.

Bosses at the Slug and Lettuce, in High Street, Colchester, have applied to extend the opening hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

At the moment, the venue can open until 1am on those days.

But the plans have been met with opposition from Colchester Civic Society, which has warned any extension would lead to “excessive drinking and its associated problems”.

In a lengthy objection, Georgia Tamblyn said: “On behalf of Colchester Civic Society, I wish to express concern about the proposed extension of licensing hours at the Slug and Lettuce bar on Colchester’s High Street.

“Extending the licensing hours - in conjunction with potentially more customers drawn through provision of films, recorded and live music - cannot but result in excessive drinking and its associated problems.

“Consider the consequence of a further hour of consuming alcohol for those who have already had the opportunity of drinking until 1am.”

Mrs Tamblyn added: “Surely this can only add to the risk of disorderly behaviour, public nuisance and personal safety concerns.

“There is also the disturbance, noise and antisocial behaviour of drinkers affecting nearby residents to consider.

“I can see how the establishment can implement mitigating strategies, but the basic facts are that a larger quantity of alcohol will have been consumed and that any problems will be extended further into the early hours.”

The campaigner also asked: “Is this the right balance of interests for our town - for its residents and tourists?

“Drunk and disorderly conduct certainly creates an intimidating and even dangerous environment... it is for this reason Colchester Civic Society objects to further tilting in favour of bars.”

Pub bosses have promised to have four door staff members on from 10pm to guard against any disorderly behaviour.

The application will be decided upon on Friday.