A POPULAR nightspot has launched yet another bid to be able to serve booze as late as 4am.

Fashion Cafe Bar, in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester, wants to be able to keep selling alcohol an hour longer than its current licence on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

Bosses at the venue had made a similar application in 2017, wanting to carry on serving until 4am and shutting at 4.30am at weekends.

But the plan was rejected by councillors who were concerned about crime, disorder and public nuisance.

At the time, solicitors representing the bar said its neighbours, Silk Road, had been given a competitive advantage because it had been given the green light for a later licence.

It also denied there was any consistent problems with disorder but councillors turned the bid down saying each case had to be taken on individual merits.

Another 4am booze bid from the venue was turned down in 2010 after objections from the police and neighbours.

Colchester Council public safety boss Mike Lilley said a number of conditions would have to be put in for the idea to even be considered.

“They would need to have trained door staff, improved CCTV and several other things in place for it to be considered,” he said.

“The application has gone in during the coronavirus crisis and it has added to the workload of officers who are visiting takeaways and restaurants who have turned into takeaways to check they are doing the right thing.

“This will have to go to a sub-committee meeting, for sure.

“Whether it is delayed for a while because no physical meetings are being held at moment or it is done remotely I am not sure.”

Representations on the latest application can be lodged to the council until Friday, April 17 on licensing.team@colchester.gov.uk.