A TOWN centre pub in Swaffham has been given permission to extend its opening hours despite concerns.

A TOWN centre pub in Swaffham has been given permission to extend its opening hours despite concerns.

The White Hart in the Market Place, which was shut for several months after a series of problems, re-opened after being leased to Yorkshire-based Inns2BInn.

It has now been given permission by Breckland Council's licensing committee to make a range of changes to their license.

Changes include selling alcohol and playing music to midnight from Sunday-Thursday nights and to 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Environmental health officer Sue Hammond, in a report to the committee, which met on Wednesday, said she had concerns about the effect the late night opening could have on nearby residents and Swaffham Town Council objected citing potential disturbance and nuisance.

However, a series of conditions were put forward to minimise any impact.

These included needing to risk assess the need to have door staff, CCTV will be installed and maintained and the need for strengthened glass will be assessed.

The pub will also join any pub watch schemes running in the town.

Doors and windows will have to be shut when music is playing, except people when people go in and out, and door lobbies will have to be installed to prevent noise escaping.

The committee heard that the pub was under new management and control and that the operators had co-operated with the council putting together the application for extended hours.