By Jack Thomson

A NIGHTCLUB in Clydebank has had a request to extend its hours of trading – which would allow it to sell alcohol until 4am at the weekend – thrown out by the licensing board.

Club Mango, of 68 Dumbarton Road, applied to change the time it can sell alcohol on Friday and Saturday from 3am to 4am the following days.

However, the application was rejected because the hours contradicted those on the board’s licensing policy which state nightclubs should only sell alcohol until 3am the following day between Thursday and Sunday.

Councillor Jonathan McColl, the leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, who sits on the licensing board, and was present at its meeting on Tuesday, June 19.He explained last Wednesday’s decision, saying: “They were asking for hours outwith the board’s policies and there was no justification for giving them those hours.

“If you do that then you set a precedent and everyone and their granny is coming and looking for those hours.”

Objections to the application were raised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Police Scotland.

The health board was concerned by an increase in the availability of alcohol, while Police Scotland thought the change may contribute to a potential increase in the number of incidents of crime and disorder.

However, Cllr McColl said the objection from Police Scotland did not guide the board’s decision.

He added: “A lot of incidents that happen in the area are not related to Club Mango and the staff are normally respond well. We don’t have any problems with the running of these premises.”

Cllr McColl also described the applicant Naseem Akram as a consistently “responsible licence holder”.

He said: “He’s one of the longest standing licence holders in West Dunbartonshire.”

Mr Akram, of Gleddoch View in Dumbarton, had also applied for an extension in his licensing hours during the festive period until 3am from Sunday to Wednesday.

During the same period – from December 17 to January 2 – Club Mango wanted to sell alcohol until 4am from Thursday to Saturday.

For Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Hogmanay and New Year’s Day, a terminal hour of 4am was sought.

However, the request was also discarded and instead, the licensing board will meet in autumn to set general festive period opening hours which will apply to all nightclubs in West Dunbartonshire.

Cllr McColl added: “The whole application was refused. Every year the board determines the festive hours.”