A WORCESTER nightspot beset by complaints over noise has given in to its critics and dropped plans to extend its opening times.

Chicago Rock Caf intended to extend its entertainment licence by one hour until 1am, six nights per week.

But the New Street venue - whose customers have been blamed for drunken and lewd behaviour - has abandoned the idea.

Last week, residents living in Nash's Passage, New Street, the almshouses in Friar Street and those in Union Street were informed of the decision.

Almshouses resident Josie Meadows welcomed the move to drop its late licence extension.

"It is great news, it is really what we hoped for," she said.

"At the end of the day, any extension would have created more havoc and more disturbances."

But episodes of rowdy behaviour continue to keep nearby residents awake, Mrs Meadows added.

"We are still getting the noise. There are people who urinate in Nash's Passage near some of the houses. It's pretty unpleasant."

Residents mobilised against Chicago Rock Caf when it applied for its extension in April.

The bar had tried to quieten its punters down by offering them free lollipops as they left, though unruly behaviour - including some people vomiting and others having sex in Nash's Passage - continued.

It emerged yesterday that Drummond's Caf Bar, situated at the opposite end of New Street, had dropped plans to extend its hours until 1am from Wednesday to Saturday.

Licensee Colin Griffin said: "We had looked at it but made no other efforts to progress it at all. When you look around at other venues in the city, there is a pressure to on businesses to open later, but we decided not to."

A statement from Luminar Leisure, which runs Chicago Rock, said the firm applied for its extension following the reform of Sunday dancing restrictions.

"When we learnt that these regular extensions would cause concern to certain of our residential neighbours, we withdrew the application," the statement added.

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