CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend the hours of a York live music venue will be considered in ten days' time.

Licensing bosses will decide on whether to allow the doors of Certificate 18, in Gillygate, to stay open until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The proposals for extra drinking time were met with a storm of protest from neighbours who said it would fuel late-night noise.

But manager Chris Faulkner said the changes would not cause any extra nuisance because the street was already full of revellers on their way home from clubs at that time.

At the same meeting on June 27, councillors will consider an application by the Castle Howard Ox, in Townend Street, for extra drinking time.

Pub bosses want to open for two more hours on Friday and Saturday and until midnight between Monday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, on Monday, applications for extra hours by The Lowther and the York Health Service Sports and Social Club will be heard.

Lowther landlord Shaun Binns, said he wanted to open until 2.30am - an hour extension on his current licence.

Mr Binns said he would probably only open until 2.30am on a weekend, during the races or on a Bank Holiday Monday.

Three residents have objected on grounds of public nuisance, but Mr Binns could not see a problem.

He said: "After 9pm our customers aren't allowed in the front door which goes on to Kings Staith where the residents live, they have to enter and exit through the side door in Cumberland Street."

York Health Service Sports and Social Club, in White Cross Road, wants permission to serve alcohol until midnight.

Seven residents have objected to the application.

Last week the Evening Press reported that licensing boss John Lacy had warned that businesses could be forced to close down if they did not get their applications in by August 6. The former York police commander said November 24 will see all new opening hours come into force.

It will signal the end of the old licensing system which dates back to the First World War.

He said that in York, only 112 of the 720 licensed businesses, such as pubs, bars, stores and theatres, had submitted their paperwork, and fewer than 200 of the 900 personal licence holders.

Everyone who sells alcohol, puts on entertainment or serves hot food after 11pm must apply for a new licence to be able to trade under the new laws, even if they do not want to change it.

Finally, The Bumper Castle, in Wigginton Road, York, wants to sell alcohol between 10am and midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and between 10am and 1am from Thursday to Saturday.

Written objections must be made to the Licensing Authority before July 6.

Updated: 10:31 Friday, June 17, 2005