Bar closing times spark licensing storm

CONTRADICTIONS in council licensing have been criticised after it emerged a city bar had permission to stay open until two different times.

Councillor Norman Work, the city's deputy health and social care leader, said the planning and licensing departments should work closer together following confusion over the Roxy Art House.

It emerged at a licensing meeting earlier this week that under planning consent the city centre venue should close at 11pm, but more recently a licensing hearing had allowed it to extend that by two hours.

The discrepancy was revealed as neighbours complained about drinkers hanging about in and around Roxburgh Place long after closing time.

Cllr Work said the two services should either work more closely or not at all.

"What is the point in having someone from planning at licensing meetings if this happens," he said.

The board suspended the hearing for another six months to allow the bar and residents to sort the issue out themselves.