Police have objected to a Forfar nightclub extending its opening hours.
Allowing Club One in Forfar to open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays an hour later than is the case now would create an “increased likelihood of antisocial behaviour and have an adverse impact on the community,” according to Police Scotland.
The stance comes in a written response to club owner Ian Whyte’s application to vary the terms of the establishment’s licence.
In a letter circulated to Angus licensing board members, Tayside Division’s Chief Inspector for the Divisional Co-ordinating Unit, Caroline Scobbie, said police could not support the proposals.
Ms Scobbie said: “Police Scotland does not support the 3am terminal time on a Friday and Saturday.
“The premise is situated in a residential area and the additional hours allow for an additional hour of drinking and the increased likelihood of antisocial behaviour and (could) have an adverse impact on the community.
“After discussion with the applicant regarding the serving of meals and takeaway food it was not clear if the applicant is intending to operate a late-hours catering facility from the premises or a food service for patrons.
“Police would not support the premises running as a late-hours catering facility.
“The likelihood of persons leaving other licensed premises within the town at terminal hour and making their way to the nightclub to purchase takeaway food would obviously have an impact on this residential area.
“This could see the premises being open well beyond the current 2am terminal hours whilst patrons purchasing food after closing disperse from the premises and surrounding area.
“Again, raising concerns with noise and potential antisocial behaviours within a residential area.”
In addition to the application for the increased weekend opening hours, Mr Whyte has applied to bring forward opening hours on Sundays to 11am and add an hour on to closing time from Mondays to Wednesdays (1am).
He is also seeking approval of a variation to the children and young person’s rules to allow younger children into the 350-capacity venue. It is currently only open, at certain times, to 14 to 17-year-olds.
Fire Scotland and six other parties also lodged representations against the plans, which were discussed at the Angus licensing board meeting on Thursday.
Fire Scotland said fire safety measures addressed in previous visits did not appear to have been rectified, although no visits have been carried out since July 9 2013.
Mr Whyte appeared before the board to back the proposal but a decision was delayed until April 3 as the club owner’s legal representation failed to show up.