CONCERTS could be staged again at York's Barbican Centre next year - before the long-awaited redevelopment gets under way.

The centre's new operators, Absolute Leisure, have launched another bid for a late drinks and entertainment licence.

It wants a variation of its existing licence on the current premises so as to be able to serve alcohol until 2am, and to provide a range of entertainments and activities until 2.30am - both seven days a week.

It said today it needed the licence to be able to stage concerts in the centre, until it is ready and able to start refurbishing the auditorium and constructing new bars and restaurants.

But the Save Our Barbican campaign group, which has vigorously opposed a previous application for a late licence for the refurbished Barbican, said today it "smelled a rat" over the latest application.

Spokesman Ernie Dickinson asked why a drinks licence was needed until 2am to stage concerts, which would normally finish at about 10.30pm to 11pm, and how concerts could be organised at such short notice.

He claimed the company was attempting to get round local residents' opposition to a late licence, and warned that the protesters would urge people living locally to object.

The application has been submitted to City of York Council, with opponents having until January 11 to raise objections.

The company first applied in the spring to the authority for a late licence for the redeveloped Barbican. That proposal attracted more than 200 written objections from local residents, with another 720 signing a petition of opposition.

A City of York Council licensing sub-committee approved the application, but two appeals were then lodged with magistrates by objectors led by SOB.

One concerned notices posted around the site by Absolute Leisure to advertise the application, which opponents claimed failed to meet licensing rules. Magistrates threw out this appeal in October, but objectors are currently considering taking the bench's decision to judicial review at the High Court.

The other, substantive objection was to the council's decision to grant the licence, with objectors claiming that the authority was biased in considering the application because of its vested interest. That appeal is due to be heard by York magistrates in February. Absolute Leisure has said it will not begin the redevelopment until that matter is resolved.

Updated: 09:29 Tuesday, December 20, 2005