COMPLAINTS have been made over a bid to extend the opening hours of a Christchurch bar.

The scheme for Blushh bar in Bargates will go before members of the council’s licensing sub-committee tonight.

The bar is owned by Poria Abraham, who was convicted in 2009 over a conspiracy to smuggle £1million worth of cocaine into the UK.

Mr Abraham was involved in laundering the drugs money and was sentenced to 12 years following the trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

His solicitor declined to comment on the matter.

The application to extend the bar’s opening hours would see the premises able to stay open until 2am, Sundays to Thursdays and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays., as well as other seasonal occasions.

A similar application was refused by the committee earlier this year, which Dorset Police objected to. They have not objected this time.

Complaints made by three members of the public raised concerns about the noise levels.

One neighbour said: “Every Friday and Saturday evening I am subjected to excessive noise (ie shouting and swearing) coming from the smoking area which results in me being woken up and having to close my bedroom window.

“To stay open until 4.30am is totally unreasonable.”

Another resident said they had spoken to the owner, with another making formal complaints to the council.

The application was referred to the committee from town centre ward councillor, Wendy Grace.

Solicitor Philip Day, representing Mr Abraham, said: “Enquiries have revealed that over the course of the last three years, there have been only five complaints to the council regarding noise from the premises and in each case, the council has closed the file.

“Neither the council’s environmental health department nor the police have raised any issues with regard to the application, not least because the premises have been allowed to operate the longer hours on several occasions during the year without any incidents occurring – indeed, opening longer facilitates a more gradual and quieter dispersal from the premises.

“It is however a matter that the council’s licensing sub-committee will decide on Thursday.”