A nightclub wants to extend its opening hours despite the police and local authority warning against it.
Blisters in Bargoed currently stays open until 4am on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays before Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
Permission is now being sought by owners Enterbizz Limited to keep the venue open for an extra half hour on those days, though the alcohol licence will not be extended.
The licensing application also asks for music on the venue’s first floor to stay on until 4.15am on Friday and Saturday – 45 minutes later than currently allowed.
Alcohol will still be sold until 3.30am but there are concerns that longer opening hours could contribute to already high levels of alcohol-related disorder in Hanbury Road.
There were 100 police call-outs to the area on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between April 1, 2018 and March 12, 2019 – almost 10 per cent of the 945 incidents recorded across Bargoed.
A quarter of all call-outs to Hanbury Road were linked to Blisters, according to Gwent Police.
The club’s owners say the extended hours would allow it to better manage people leaving the premises.
However, council officers believe it could lead to greater disorder.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s licensing and gambling subcommittee will consider proposals to extend the club’s opening hours on April 29.