A MINEHEAD live entertainment bar is applying for an extension to its licence to allow drinking until 3am every day of the week.

It follows the renovation of an adjoining former retail clothes shop which has been used by Bar 21 owner Will Wynn as a function room.

Mr Wynn, who also runs the nearby refurbished Blenheim Gardens Cafe, wants to be able to screen sporting events such as boxing and wrestling which are often broadcast into the early hours.

His partner, Lorraine Pegler, told the Free Press the function room had been used for parties by applying for temporary events notices (TENS), but Somerset Council’s licensing officers wanted the situation regularised with a formal application.

She said it was not intended to stay open so late every day, but flexibility in business hours was needed for some occasions such as New Year’s Eve.

Ms Pegler is chairman of Minehead Pub Watch and vice-chairman of town watch, which works with the local neighbourhood policing team.

She said: “I am not out to cause any trouble or grief for anybody.

“We are a well-run premises and comply with the regulations probably more than any other publican in town.

“I have my security qualifications and employ security staff which some of the other businesses can call on when they need help.

“We will probably stay open until about 12midnight unless we have any entertainment on or if there is a party.

“The extension will mean we do not have to kick everybody out at the same time as all the other bars, so there will not be hundreds of people dispersing at the same time.”

Minehead town councillors will be consulted for views on the application, and any public comments should be sent to the unitary authority by February 26.