COMMUNITY leaders have blasted an application for extra weekday drinking time at a Peebles town centre pub.

The Central Bar in Northgate wants to extend its hours from 11pm on a Thursday to 1am the next day.

But there is concern that if the application is granted it will open the way for more licensees to try to stay open later during the week.

Crick Carleton, the chairman of Peebles Community Council’s planning committee, said: “They are already open until 1am on a Friday and Saturday night and to have it on a Thursday is pushing it.” Peebles community council chairman Alasdair Stewart said: “I would not have thought this was necessary and community council treasurer Graham Mackie added: “If we approve one they will all start to do it.” However, another council member, Fiona Dalgleish, disagreed. “If it’s acceptable to have these hours on a Friday and Saturday, why not a Thursday?” she said.

Tweeddale West councillor Willie Archibald said inquiries would have to be made to see if it was Borders policy to allow longer opening hours.