A COUNCILLOR has vowed to stop a new JD Wetherspoon pub in Maldon getting a late licence.
The pub chain has been given the go-ahead to move into the old post office building in the town centre.
But a decision has yet to be made on whether alcohol can be served until 1am.
District councillor Michael Pearlman said a late licence would cause "havoc" in the town.
"I have now come to terms with the fact that Wetherspoon's will go ahead but the licensing hours that they are proposing I strongly oppose," he told the Chronicle.
"All it will encourage is late night drinkers causing disruption in our town.
"Smokers will be forced to congregate outside on the narrow pathways causing even more havoc.
"Is this the picture Maldon wishes to paint for their residents and for the tourists that visit our beautiful town?"
Cllr Pearlman was one of only two councillors to oppose the application at a planning committee on Wednesday, February 20. Wetherspoon's has put in a bid to stay open until 1am Thursday to Saturday and midnight on Sunday.
"A spokesman on behalf of Wetherspoon's said in one planning meeting that their business is aimed at families but families do not need these type of opening hours," added Cllr Pearlman, who wants the pub to shut at 11pm.
"As a councillor I will do my best to oppose the hours and we must all pull together before it's too late."
His concerns are echoed by many residents who fear that the town centre will be filled with drinkers spilling into the streets in the early hours.
In a letter of objection to the district council, Judy Lea, of the Maldon Society, said: "While at this stage in the process we do not want their licence to be refused, as their reputation suggests the building will be looked after, we do ask that the hours are significantly reduced from those proposed.
"Other pubs and places of entertainment close much earlier and we would not want late night drinkers from those places to settle down for more drinks in Wetherspoon's. At this hour late hour buses no longer run and lights in adjacent roads are switched off."
The final decision on the opening hours will be decided at a meeting of the licensing sub-committee on April 15 and Cllr Pearlman is encouraging those opposed to attend.
"If I can point to a crowd of people at the meeting and say 'this is what the residents think' then I can have far more impact.
"It's something I'm passionate about but we need to fight this together," he said.
