A snooker club in Wisbech has won the right to become a night club despite police opposition.

H20 in Chapel Road was granted a premises licence by Fenland District Council’s licensing committee at a hearing on Tuesday.

The licence allows it to stay open until 3am seven days a week. On New Year’s Eve, it will stay open until 4.30am.

The venue will continue to show sport and will host live music.

Police are concerned opening until 3am could cause an increase in alcohol related crime at a time of night when they have reduced numbers.

The application was approved on a number of conditions - CCTV must be installed both inside and outside the venue.

No children are allowed on the premises after 9pm on Friday and Saturday unless it is a pre-planned youth event.

Three trained bouncers must be on the door on Friday and Saturday night and revellers must be encouraged to leave quietly, with efforts made to ensure glasses and bottles don’t leave the premises.

Alcohol-related crimes and incidents have increased in Wisbech town centre since 2009, with 65.2 per cent of alcohol related violent crimes occurring between 7pm and 4am the following morning.

PC Philip Richardson, opposing the application, said: “There is a significant decrease in policing availability at 3am and this can be further reduced with officers already engaged in dealing with alcohol related incidents in custody.

“Closure of the venue at 3am and allowing a number of persons at various levels of intoxication is likely to result in an increased number of calls for service in relation to alcohol related offences.

“The area is within the community impact zone and persons leaving the venue from 3am onwards are likely to cause a negative impact on the community as there are a large number of residential properties in the area.”