SOUTHAMPTON'S newest Wetherspoons is a step closer to reality after civic chiefs approved its licence.
JD Wetherspoon had applied for a licence before it takes over the Red Lion pub in Bitterne Precinct.
The chain says it will spend £1.6m on redeveloping the watering hole, although it has not said when it will reopen and whether it will have a new name.
While the Red Lion is open until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight Friday to Saturday, it will be open until 12.30am seven days a week when it is taken over.
Alcohol and food could be served until midnight, seven days a week, and for a further hour on New Year’s Eve.
One person had objected to the licensing bid, but the council's licensing committee approved JD Wetherspoon's bid after conditions were agreed with the police.
They including reducing the planned opening hours by an hour, as well as the installation of CCTV and the maintenance of an incident book, refusals register and Challenge 21 policy.
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