A CATHOLIC priest awaiting serious heart surgery faces a new licensing battle with a city centre nightspot.

Almost two years ago, Canon Denis Clinch led a campaign to prevent Ithaca - which backs on to St Mary's Church, better known as the Hidden Gem - from getting an entertainment and drinking licence until 4am.

But the bar and restaurant, which opened in May, is now making another bid to open from 11pm until 3.50am.

Owners say they need to be able to stay open later than their current 1.30am closing time, as and when necessary, and argue that neighbouring venues already have later licences.

Canon Clinch, who lives in the presbytery adjoining the church in Mulberry Street, says it would be the thin end of the wedge. He claims allowing the club to open until almost 4am, with all the risks of noise and possible trouble, would be 'quite unacceptable'.

He has launched a protest petition and is urging as many people as possible to object to the application, and to lobby councillors ahead of the licensing session in a month's time.

Entertainment

Canon Clinch, who has just celebrated his golden jubilee as a priest, said: "To have an entertainment venue so close to the church, and open until 1am is something we must tolerate. But to have what would effectively be a nightclub open until almost 4am would be intolerable.

"We fully accept that we live in a vibrant city where people go out and enjoy themselves, and as a restaurant, I wish Ithaca every success.

"But some reason and good sense must prevail, and respect should be shown, when we are looking at what in effect, are the precincts of the church.

"We should remember that St Mary's is unique, with a church on this site since 1794.

"This has come at a very bad time for me personally. I have been waiting since May for heart surgery, which is now imminent, and it will mean my being in hospital for about a week, then months recuperating."

Two years ago, councillors rejected an Ithaca bid for a 4am licence after hearing it would create unacceptable noise and nuisance for the church.

The new application by Ithaca, on John Dalton Street, would enable its owners to serve drinks and have music between 11pm and 3.30am seven days a week, and stay open for refreshments until 3.50am.

The deadline for objections is September 2 and the provisional date for a hearing is September 24.

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