Does Walsall need any more clubs? Concern as nightspot allowed to stay open until 4.30am

Fever in Lichfield Street has had its licence extended from 3am to 4.30am after council bosses gave the go-ahead.

But there are fears it will now encourage other bar owners to apply to open late too - and create problems with violence and drunken behaviour.

Paddock ward councillor Rose Martin said she 'cannot understand the logic' of the decision and added: "This will create a situation that every bar in this area can do the same.

"Walsall is full of clubs do we need anymore? I think residents of Walsall deserve an explanation."

And Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Walsall South Sue Arnold said the number of drinking venues in the town was at 'saturation point' and a 'sensible solution needed to be found if the good name of the borough was to be upheld'.

Mrs Arnold, who was brought up in Walsall, is currently the deputy police and crime commissioner for Staffordshire - and says she does not want to see the borough 'ruined by drunken yobs.

Recent figures show alcohol-related crime has been falling in Walsall since 2008/09 falling 29 per cent against a regional rate of 25 per cent and national fall of 21 per cent. Alcohol-specific hospital admissions for under-18s in Walsall are at the lowest level since 2004/05."

Mrs Arnold said: "This is to be applauded but there is still work to be done.

"I was born and brought up in Walsall and I know that the thousands of people who live in not just the Walsall South constituency, but the borough as a whole are like me, proud of their local area and do not want to see it ruined by drunken yobs.

"Therefore I am calling on Walsall Council to adopt a sensible approach to any future applications for licensed premises and to recognise the impact this will have for the future of our town centre if they don't."

Councillor Keith Sears, who was one of three members on the licensing committee that approved the plans, said: "I voted for it because I listened to the evidence presented and decided there was no risk from extending the hours.

"If anyone had an objection they should have come to the meeting and raised it. There have been police incidents in the area near the bar but there is no proof they are caused by that bar."

He said police did not raise objections to the plans.