TWO York city centre bars have abandoned a move to open their doors until 5am.

Bosses at Nexus and McMillans, in George Hudson Street, wanted to serve booze until 4am at weekends with 60 minutes drinking-up time.

It would have made the businesses the latest opening licensed premises in the city.

But after talks with licensing chiefs and the police, they have agreed to sell alcohol only until 3am, with a further 30 minutes drinking-up time.

Last week, the Evening Press reported that nearby Toffs nightclub was given permission to open until 4am, with alcohol on sale until 3.30am.

Manager Peter Brownsword said they agreed to support a police request to adjust the original application.

The bars were also proposing to provide marshals, who will provide high-visibility patrols in the area near the venue and communicate potential problems to management.

They are also offering to send out rubbish patrols after closing to pick up bottles, flyers and food wrappings in the immediate vicinity of the premises.

A number of other steps to prevent late night noise and disturbance are also being proposed, including:

DJ announcements and notices in the foyer to remind customers to be considerate and quiet when leaving

Steps to reduce transport problems by ensuring taxis are available and providing a safe place for customers, particularly lone females, to wait for them

Providing stewards to marshal bus stops and taxi ranks late at night, subject to the agreement of police and council.

However, several local residents have still lodged vigorous protests to the proposals to open late, which will be considered by council licensing committees next Tuesday.

Andrew Clark, of Tanner Row, said the music from Nexus was already audible in his house until 2.15am every night of the week. "It would become intolerable if this was extended to a later time," he said.

He claimed that his car had been vandalised on numerous occasions by drunken people in the area, who often liked to walk or dance on vehicles.

"The city is not geared up to late-night establishments, and it should not give out late licences until better systems and more manpower is put into place."

The committee was told that another resident in Tanner Row, Gwen Jones, was concerned that late hours would lead to even greater problems with late-night drunken disturbances outside her flat and those of her neighbours.

Another, unidentified resident said: "We suffer from vomit, urine and loud noise from pedestrians and car radios. I would like to support the night-time economy, but ask Nexus to recognise that the area is also residential."

:: More pubs seek licences to serve late booze

SEVERAL more late night licences are set to be considered next week.

The Red Lion, in Haxby, wants to sell alcohol until midnight seven nights a week, with an extra hour on special occasions such as Bank Holidays, St Valentine's Day and St Patrick's Day.

A report to a committee meeting next Wednesday says that 13 local residents have objected, claiming the later hours will cause increased noise and nuisance.

An application to serve alcohol at York RI Outdoor Sports Club, in Hamilton Drive, until midnight on Monday to Thursday, and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, will be considered at another meeting next Wednesday. One local resident has objected.

A third meeting on the same day will consider an application by the Old Grey Mare, at Clifton Green, to serve alcohol until 1am seven days a week, and for live and recorded music until 12.30am. Six objections have been received.

Updated: 10:21 Thursday, August 25, 2005