A TOWN centre nightspot is facing opposition because it wants to open until 4am.

The Hudson Bar and Grill, which is yet to open, in Head Street, Colchester, has applied to open its members’ lounge 'XV' until 4am on weekends.

It also wants to open its public bar until 3.30am.

But Essex Police have opposed the move, which is set to be decided on Friday, on the grounds of public safety.

Claire Quilter, Police Licensing Officer based at Colchester police station, has written to Colchester Council, urging the bar’s application to be turned down.

She said: ”If any these new times were to go ahead it would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance objectives.”

she added: “Due to evidence of the rise in serious and violent crime in Colchester in the early hours, the extended opening of these premises... is not supported.

“Essex Police objects on the grounds of public safety, prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.”

The officer also said if the application was to be granted, it would confirm a move away from being a food-led bar and grill to a drinking establishment.

She added: “This would have an adverse effect in upholding the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.”

The Hudson is set to open during the summer and will be run by Elysium Leisure, which also runs nightspots The Dirty Penguin, Waikiki, Mimosa, Qube and River Lodge.

Under the application, bosses also want to remove an attendance restriction of 200 people, which was in place under for bar Nineteen, which closed last year.

The Elysium Group was contacted for comment, but did not respond.