Pub wins 5am extension
A Tipton pub has been given permission to stay open until 5am in an attempt by its owners to attract more customers and beat the recession.
The Dudley Port currently closes at 12.30am every day and can only serve until 11pm.
Licensing chiefs gave the go-ahead for the longer opening hours, which are due to begin this weekend.
Owner Bill Singh, aged 47, took over 20 months ago and said the pub, like many others, is struggling during the economic downturn.
"The pub won't be open until 5am every night, only when there are special events on, such as the boxing.
"Having a later closing time means that we won't be losing trade to other local pubs which stay open to 2am. The current economic climate means a lot of people are drinking at homes rather than going out to pubs, but we are running regular drinks promotions to tackle that.
"We are a family-orientated pub and have never had any problems here."
The plans were passed despite initial concerns from licensing officer Malcolm Strong over noise control and air pollution.
Vic Silvester, chair of Sandwell's licensing panel, said there was no reason to refuse the application.
