THE boss of a York live music venue which showcases up-and-coming bands has defended its plans to stay open into the early hours.

Certificate 18, in Gillygate, has applied to City of York Council for permission to stay open until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday.

It also wants an additional ten minutes drinking-up time.

Nearby residents have written more than 20 letters of objection, claiming the late opening would increase noise and drunken behaviour.

But bar manager David Jones said: "If we were to be granted the extension, we certainly would not have bands playing until 2am, but we would be able to give customers an option not to be forced out en masse at 11.20pm. This would surely be of benefit to local residents."

He said that if the extension was not granted Gillygate, being a main arterial road with numerous fast food restaurants, was still unlikely to be an "oasis of serenity after 11pm".

He claimed the venue had:

ldealt with any concerns voiced by local residents

lnever had any official complaints regarding noise or nuisance behaviour

lfitted extra soundproofing in the area where bands performed

lput signs on exits asking punters to be considerate of residents when leaving, and actively policed the policy.

One resident of Portland Street said revellers would be drawn from "party central" at 11pm, creating "a tide of human waste washing down Gillygate".

But Mr Jones said: "These are very emotive words, but what he is suggesting is that at 11pm the bars in the centre of the city - the majority of which have applied for extensions to their own opening hours - would close and everybody would come rushing down Gillygate to Certificate 18. This is simply not plausible."

Nearby residents have also claimed the pub has done little for the community.

But Mr Jones said the venue regularly held charity events, and had raised money for York Hospital's Baby Care Unit, for tsunami relief funds, and next week was holding, in conjunction with Oxfam, a Make Poverty History event.

"Apart from charity events we also provide young up-and-coming musicians with a platform to showcase their material alongside nationally- recognised breaking bands," said Mr Jones.

"We offer a genuinely friendly atmosphere that attracts strong regular trade, and are pleased to say that the venue is trouble-free."

The application will be considered by the licensing committee on Monday at The Guildhall.

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, June 25, 2005