A CLUB in a residential part of Southampton has been prevented from extending its opening times to the early hours seven days a week.

Civic chiefs stopped Cloud Nine, in St Mary’s Road, from staying open beyond 2am after club owners applied for it to stay open until 5am.

Despite it being open since April, Duane Southall and Paul Wells felt that there was interest in getting the 300-person capacity gay venue to be open until near dawn.

Southampton City Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee heard that most weekends the club was only half-full.

Officers from Hampshire police feared that extended hours would contribute to a “detrimental” impact on the area after a number of incidents in the area.

Representing Hampshire police, PC Jackie Cherry said: “The area is already saturated with night-time venues. Residents fear a potential increase in disorder.”

‘Older generation’ Both Mr Wells and Mr Southall maintained that they went “above and beyond” meeting the licensing conditions in keeping the area and their customers safe.

Mr Wells said: “We’re catering to the older generation of the lesbian, gay, bi and transsexual community.

“We have never once had police attendance in the seven or eight months since we have been open.

“Our clientele don’t want to go up to Bedford Place, they’re professional. Southampton has been crying out for a venue of that sort for some time.”

After hearing from officers representing Hampshire police, the sub-committee rejected the application.

Committee chairman Councillor Matt Tucker said: “It was felt that this application would result in more people coming to the area. There was no evidence presented to contradict that view.”

But he added that the committee had “no issue with the running of the club” and went on to commend the owners in the way that the club is being operated.