A TOP town centre nightspot is to be allowed to stay open an extra two hours, despite police objections.

For the first time in Blackburn revellers can now dance until 4am at Club Euro.

But the owners of the Cicely Lane nightclub will not be allowed to sell alcoholic drinks after 2am.

Blackburn licensing sub-committee agreed to the unprecedented move on condition that no one is allowed in after 1.30am.

The police objected to the changes because of worries over controlling crowds coming out of Club Euro in the early hours of the morning.

Officers also pointed government plans to lengthen licensing hours have still not come into force.

Solicitor Simon Jones represented owners Northern Leisure at the licensing meeting.

He said: "We recently spent £250,000 on a complete refurbishment of the club and set out to attract an older more sophisticated type of customer. "Before the refurbishment the club operated on a profit but the type of client we attracted was causing problems with the police and the authorities.

"Once we reopened, we deliberately set out to attract a different type of customer."

Mr Jones added his firm aimed their club at people interested in dancing rather than drinking alcohol.

He also added staggering closing times in the town centre would mean less trouble.

Mr Jones said: "We are charging higher prices and operate a strict dress code.

"Since the re-opening the management have had to call the police on just one occasion and that was because a group of teenagers we refused to let in were causing trouble in the car park."

Councillors agreed to change the opening hours for a trial period of six months.

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