TWO adjoining Weymouth town centre bars have been granted new late-night licences despite a wave of objections from residents who claim they contribute to anti-social behaviour.

The Tuatara Bar and The Closet previously held a 24 hour licence operating as one premises.

When a new licence was applied for, the borough’s Licensing department suggested they should be operated and licensed as two separate premises. The application for Tuatara, made by FIFTY5ML Ltd, and the application for The Closet, by owner Jamie Crage, requested for both venues to be open from 9am until 5am seven days a week.

The Licensing Committee considered more than 20 letters of objection.

Residents of St Alban Street Gavin Dudeney and Victoria Boobyer, said in a letter: “There is constant traffic in both directions from around 11pm on busy nights. We are constantly woken up at two, three, four, five in the morning with drunken brawling outside. We live in the middle of hell at the weekends, and every night in the summer.

“Granting these all-night licences may be working for the pubs and clubs, but it certainly isn’t for the day-to-day businesses, the restaurants and the residents.”

Residents requested that the bars close much earlier as they felt the centre of Weymouth is ‘out of control’ at weekends.

Speaking at the meeting, Brain Montgomery, of Mitchell Street, said: “My driveway is used constantly for people coming from the bars who use it to urinate and defecate. I can’t even open my windows because of the noise and the smell.”

Andrew Woods, solicitor for Tuatara manager Ryan Entwistle and Mr Crage, said: “There are a number of late night bars in Weymouth. Because of the different clientele that go to these two bars, closing at much earlier hours would have an effect on their businesses.”

The committee decided that Tuatara Bar could open until 1am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday, while The Closet can open until 4am each evening. This is subject to live and recorded music stopping half an hour prior to closing.

Members further agreed that an additional CCTV camera should be installed on Mitchell Street, and Tuatara should keep a refusals register and a written dispersal policy, while Mr Entwistle’s number should be made available to local residents, should they wish to complain.

An extra hour was granted for occasions such as New Year’s Eve and rugby and football World Cup matches. The Closet must have a written dispersal policy and an extra hour was granted for New Year’s Eve and bank holiday weekends.