POLICE have objected to a bid to allow a lap dancing club in Southampton to remain open until 5.30am.

Bosses at Isis Gentlemen’s Club are at loggerheads with Hampshire Constabulary over the application, with the force objecting to the proposed extension.

The force believes extending the club’s opening hours could add to drinking-related problems already experienced in Above Bar in the early hours of the morning.

Both sides will put forward their arguments in front of Southampton City Council’s licensing committee this week.

The gentleman’s club, which has been at the site for the past eight years, is currently open until 2.30am, seven days a week.

In his application, owner Daniel Gill says the extension is necessary to bring the club in line with other similar venues in the city centre.

If the plans to vary Isis’ licence are approved by the city council, its new opening hours would run from 10am to 5.30am, while alcohol could be served until 5am.

Force licensing inspector Justin Roberts said: “The police always would ask for a review of any application which falls within Southampton City Council’s Cumulative Impact Area policy.

“This applies to licence extension applications from an area which is deemed to be saturated with licensed premises, as is the case with this application.”

The council’s licensing committee will make a decision at its meeting at 9.30am on Thursday at the Civic Centre. Mr Gill declined to comment until after the meeting.