The floodgates may be opened to more licensed premises in Chelmsford town centre after magistrates backed plans for a new public house despite police opposition, according to the Licensed Victuallars Association.

It was revealedthat a Shire Hall licensing bench granted a provisional drinks licence in September to Kent brewers Shepherd Neame who want to convert three shops next to Chicago's Rock Cafe.

Solicitors representing Britain's oldest brewery argued that lack of police resources and alleged 'over provision' of drinks outlets were not grounds for objection, quoting from case law involving a similar dispute in Chester.

LVA spokesman Walter Jenkins told This Is Essex that although the planned public house was relatively small - with room for 85 customers - it still added up to "yet another" in the town centre.

He said: "As a result of our concerns Shepherd Neame agreed never to apply for a nightclub certificate nor an entertainments licence, to keep within normal pub hours and to install CCTV both inside and out."

"However, our members are very concerned that it could open the floodgates to more and more licensed premises in the town centre where alcohol can already be bought from 8am right round to 2am."

Superintendent Julia Jeapes commented: "We are concerned that new case law apparently rules out our main grounds of objection, but we will keep voicing our fears because our resources late at night are finite."

Chelmsford police have voiced concern in recent years that there are too many people spilling out from clubs and licensed premises in the town centre late at night to properly control.

Earlier this year similar police and LVA objections were expressed when former Club Zeus proprietor Steve Peri lost an appeal to open a cafe bar in the West End of town opposite his nightclub.

The police and LVA recently opposed a drinks license application by brewers Young and Co who want to turn the former Halifax offices in Duke Street into The Ram cafe bar, and the hearing was adjourned until Friday, November 27.

A Shepherd Neame spokesman commented: "The public house we envisage will be traditional with a contemporary light and airy female friendly ambience. We have not yet chosen a name and have a planning application before the borough council to change the frontage.

"It is our first venture into Chelmsford and among the drinks on sale will be our Master Brew bitter and Spitfire Kentish ale as well as Oranjeboom Dutch pilsner which we brew under licence."

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