A NUMBER of pubs, bars and clubs in Darlington have applied to council bosses to stay open later.

Town centre venues including The Lounge, Escapade, Flares, Turks Head, Route 66, The Barracuda (formerly Humphreys), Yates, Atlantic Bar and Club, The Brown Trout, in Cockerton, and The Killinghall Arms, in Middleton St George, are among those who want to serve alcohol into the early hours.

The applications have been posted on Darlington Borough Council's website.

In the past week, fears that pubs and clubs would fail to apply for new liquor licences in time, have been allayed.

Almost all remaining businesses in the town that needed to apply before the August 6 deadline, managed to get their applications in on time.

Last night, the borough council's licensing department said staff were busy processing the applications.

Just over a week ago, only 49 per cent of expected applications had been received. It is now 90 per cent.

Pubs, clubs and off-licences have had to apply for new licences under the Licensing Act 2004, which relaxes opening hours.

For those premises that missed the deadline, the council has some advice. A spokeswoman said: "Those who have missed the August 6 deadline must now apply for a totally new licence, but they must do this in plenty of time for the November 24 deadline."

Nightclub Escapade, in Gladstone Street, has applied to serve alcohol until 4am, Monday to Friday, and 6am on Saturday and Sunday.

Another club, The Lounge, in Commercial Street, has applied to sell alcohol until 4am and open until 4.30am.

Atlantic Bar and Club, in Duke Street, has applied to serve alcohol and stay open until 4am.

Yates, in Skinnergate, wants to serve alcohol until 2am and open until 2.30am; Route 66, in King Street, wants to open until 2am; Flares in Skinnergate has applied to open until 2am Monday to Thursday, 1am on Sunday, and 3am Friday and Saturday; the Turks Head, in Bondgate, has applied to open until midnight, Sunday to Wednesday, and 2am Thursday to Saturday; and The Barracuda, in Blackwellgate, wants to open until midnight Sunday to Wednesday and 2am Thursday to Saturday.

The Killinghall Arms, Middleton St George, has submitted an application that includes selling alcohol on its premises until 2am on Friday and Saturday.

The Brown Trout, in West Auckland Road, Cockerton, wants to open until 1am with longer hours on some days.

These applications will now be considered by the council. Residents are entitled to object.