CIVIC pressure group officials fear a successful late licence bid by a city drinking venue may 'open the floodgates.'

The 700-capacity Australian theme bar, Walkabout, in North Road, will be allowed to remain open until 2am from Monday to Saturday, and to 12.30am on Sunday night into Monday morning. It extends to 2am closing on Bank Holiday Monday mornings, except for Easter.

North Durham licensing justices granted the application after a six-hour-plus contested hearing at Durham Magistrates' Court.

Walkabout chain owners Regent Inns' regional operations manager, Rachel Cook, said in her experience longer licensing leads to a 'more gradual dispersal' of drinkers on to surrounding streets. She spoke of extensive staff training and said the company has a zero-tolerance to drunkenness.

Regent Inns also plans to provide late night transport home for customers on Friday and Saturday nights.

The City of Durham Trust and eight individual residents objected, fearing it would increase drunken disorder on surrounding streets longer into the early hours.

Trust chairman Roger Cornwell said after the hearing it may encourage later licence applications from surrounding premises. "It may well open the floodgates," he said. "Walkabout paint a picture saying there won't be problems, but I think it's a gamble."