A PUB has withdrawn a bid to increase its capacity after objections from the council and police.

The George, in George Lane, South Woodford, had wanted to host live music and comedy nights on its first floor, which is currently unused.

But the application, which would have provided space for up to 100 extra customers, was opposed by the council’s licensing enforcement department and police.

The objections were made on the grounds that the pub's expansion could contribute to local anti-social behaviour problems.

The application would have been decided on under the new cumulative impact zone for the area.

This means bars, pubs and nightclubs within the zone which want to alter the terms of their licences must prove the changes would not add to current levels of anti-social behaviour.

The CIZ was introduced in July in response to disturbances associated with late-night drinking in the many bars in South Woodford and the surrounding area.

The Stonegate Pub Company, which owns The George, denied the bid’s withdrawal was a consequence of the objections.

A spokeswoman said: “Stonegate Pub Company have looked at the opportunity of bringing the upstairs area back into use as part of the current refurbishment programme which will see the George improved and updated.

“At this stage we are not including the upstairs area in the refurbishment plans.”

Speaking when the application was submitted, manager Steve O’Halloran said the move was not designed to encourage more drinking but rather to enable the first floor to be used for events.

Kerk Davies, chairman of the South Woodford Business Partnership, said he did not believe extra customers at The George would lead to an increase anti-social behaviour.

He added: “I would like to see them given a chance." “The description of what they’re trying to do doesn’t sound like it would impact on the anti-social behaviour problems at all.

“Maybe a trial period would be fair on a business which is trying to continue trading and which does not get much trade during daytime hours.”

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