THE debate over longer drinking hours is reaching fever pitch in a Kent city as residents prepare to challenge a raft of new applications by pubs and clubs for extended hours.

Top of their hit list is the Bizz and Baa Bars nightclub in Canterbury, which wants a licence until 5am as well as a relaxation of the rules over what time people can be let in.

The application is among a flood of new licence bids from pubs and clubs, including one for 23-hour opening by a city centre pub.

Residents fear drink-fuelled crime could spiral out of control.

Objections have been submitted by three Canterbury residents' groups: the St Mildred’s Area Community Society (SMACS), the Oaten Hill Society and the St Peter’s and Northgate Residents’ Association.

SMACS chairman, John Telfer who is co-ordinating the protest, said: "We are objecting in the strongest terms to the hours requested by the Bizz which betray a total disregard for the community in which the club operates.

"Three years ago proceedings were started to have the club’s licence revoked as a result of the disturbance and crime caused in and around the club.

"We supported the new management when they pledged to run the operation more professionally. But after a promising start, the level of anti-social behaviour from customers leaving the club is almost back to where it was.

"We are also concerned the club wants to waive the conditions relating to the sale of food and late entry. Both were made to make some effort to ease the burden of disturbance in the immediate area of the club."

But Bizz nightclub joint manager Gary Sedgewick said he was not aware of any recent problems regarding the club.

He said: "We only met the police and council a week ago and it wasn’t raised as an issue. In fact, we have been working very well with them."

He said the club had been obliged to seek a licence until 5am because the pubs were driving the night-time economy later into the evening.

"I don’t think anyone really knows what the demand will be, but we have to be able to respond to it," he said.

The club has applied for drinking until 4am with an hour 'cooling down' period before the premises must be cleared by 5am.

Paul Wildman, who has been landlord of the Two Sawyers pub in the city for four-and-half years, also wants to extend his opening hours.

He wants to stay open until midnight on Sundays and until 2am the rest of the week.

Mr Wildman said: "I’ve gone for the late licences because they’re there to go for.

"If we’ve got a good crowd in on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, then why should we shut? It’s not like we will be open to 2am every night."

The Seven Stars, near Canterbury Cathedral, wants to be able to serve alcohol from 6am - 3am Monday to Saturday. On Sunday the hours would be 6am - 1am.

A late-night food licence within the application will also mean the pub could serve food and soft drinks until 5am if approved.

But one residents’ group says people are getting "tangled up" in a bid to challenge applications.

Niall McKernan of the St Peter’s Residents’ Association said: "There is a feeling among residents that pubs are behaving like clubs and are pushing the boundaries of their food, drink and entertainments.

"I don’t think the new licensing system is balanced at all. Officers have told me objections can only be made on present fact and not future concerns.

"It is confusing and people are getting tangled up trying to follow it."

The applicant for the Seven Stars declined to comment.

There are also concerns Chicago Rock in St George’s Place has applied for a 3.30am licence from Thursday to Saturdays and its neighbour Studio 41 is thought to be considering the same.

The Castle Grill kebab takeaway in Castle Street, whose customers have been the subject of numerous complaints by neighbours, has also applied to stay open until 3am.

Chairman of the St Peter’s and Northgate Residents’ Association, Penny Francis said the raft of late night drinking applications was "frightening".

She said: "We have got to fight them. Hundreds of city residents are unhappy because the loutish behaviour we suffer will get worse.

"I also fear there will not be a sufficient police presence. Somebody has got to start to take responsibility."

The police have not yet decided whether to lodge an objection to the Bizz application. A spokesman said it was being examined for what its potential impact on crime and police resources might be.

The city council licensing committee is expected to consider the application next month.

The Two Sawyers’ application will be considered by the city council’s licensing sub-committee on Tuesday, along with applications for late openings from the White Hart in Worthgate Place, the Blind Dog in Rosemary Lane, the Three Tuns in Watling Street, and the Red Lion in High Street in nearby Bridge.

All are being opposed by residents and/or the police.