Pub company JD Wetherspoon's loses appeal for longer opening hours

JD Wetherspoon's has lost an appeal to extend its opening hours at a Lloyds No 1 pub in Guildford, Surrey.

Under last November's new licensing laws, the 655-strong pub group failed to get a three-hour extension every night of the week at the Bridge Street site in the town centre.

But, in what is seen as a test case for the industry, Guildford Council turned down its appeal after police raised fears that the area was already "demanding" and "acted as a magnet for drunk people".

Wetherspoon's argued that the council was enforcing the old 11pm cut-off by the back-door by only granting extensions in Bridge Street under exceptional circumstances.

A spokesman for the group played down suggestions that the case may set a precedent.

"The problem is specific to Guildford and won't stop us applying for extensions in the future. We already have them in place at 95% of our pubs," he said.

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By Tom Bill

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