A York pub landlord was today fuming after his plans to make European visitors feel a little more at home during the Ecofin conference were blocked by magistrates who said Ecofin was not "a special occasion".

Shaun Collinge wanted to show foreign visitors coming to the summit in York this weekend that not all English pubs called time at 11pm.

But his application for an extension of licensing hours at The Maltings, Tanner Row, has been turned down, because Ecofin was not considered "special" enough.

York Tourism Bureau expressed disappointment at the decision today, while a police licensing officer said he was surprised that the Ecofin conference, when the global spotlight will be on York for three days, was not thought special.

Mr Collinge said: "It stinks. It will be a huge occasion for the city and I wanted to stay open an hour longer on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to allow the celebrations to keep going.

"Businesses in York have been encouraged to bend over backwards for this conference and I wanted to do my bit.

"I've got a banner welcoming visitors in 15 different languages and I wanted to give people a little longer to enjoy themselves."

The Maltings is situated at a convenient point for the 1,000 journalists covering Ecofin, being on the most direct route between the media centre in North Street and the Royal York Hotel, where the ministers are staying. Shaun said: "It's crackers. How much more special could Ecofin be?"

Alan Sunderland, a police licensing officer, said the application had not been opposed by York Police, but said the magistrates had felt the definition of a special occasion only meant things like 21st birthdays, wedding receptions and retirement parties.

He said: "I was surprised Ecofin was not considered special because it is certainly unique. We won't be getting another Ecofin will we?"

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "Ecofin is a prestigious international event and it is disappointing that the licensing hours cannot be extended for the European delegates and press."

A spokesman for York magistrates' court told the Evening Press that the justices did not have to justify their decision. "It is their view on the day," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.