A bid by a town centre pub to extend its opening time by an hour to 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays appears to have split the community.

A licence application has received a number of objections from residents fearful of a rise in anti-social behaviour. However, there have been more representations from people supporting the move by Neal Hicks, licensee of The Beehive in Coinagehall Street, Helston.

A Cornwall Council licensing committee will make a decision next week on whether the bar will be allowed to serve alcohol until 4am on those days and stay open an extra hour – until 1.30am – on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday, with alcohol being served until 1am. There is also a request to extend the time that music can be played in the pub.

The application has received 11 representations against, including from Helston Town Council, which has raised concerns about an increased risk of anti-social behaviour and public disorder on or near the premises. There have also been 14 letters and emails of support.

Of those opposed to the changes, a neighbour wrote: “We don’t need more loud unsociable drunks disturbing our town at 4am in the morning. I live across the road with my family and it’s bad enough hearing all the shouting and swearing in the early hours in the morning by drunk people. Seriously why would the council allow such ridiculous operation times? This will not boost the town’s reputation nor will it help the growth of the town.”

Another added: “Friday into Saturday and Saturday into Sunday are, quite frankly, nightmarish for the residents. As an early morning worker I am in the streets near my house around 5am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and often witness the most disgusting, alcohol-fuelled behaviour.

“CCTV recordings from many properties have been used by the police to investigate criminal damage, fights and anti-social behaviour. I have personally witnessed people urinating in shop doorways, vomiting in the street and on the steps of the town hall and copulating in the Sunken Garden. I have witnessed numerous occasions when the emergency services have had to attend incidents.

“The behaviour of these people after a night at the bar after it closes is obviously not the direct responsibility of the Beehive, but it is a consequence. Extending alcohol sales can only make this horrible, completely unacceptable behaviour worse.”

However, others disagree. A resident said: “I am writing to show my support as a Helston local of Neal Hicks’ business, The Beehive. I believe Neal is an incredible pub owner and has really learned how to keep things under control in our town. I also believe that allowing the Beehive to close at 4.30am will cause more calm exits of the town, less people will leave at one time and the streets won’t be as busy.

“I think as a small town with a small nightlife and so much potential this could do great things for it, bring people in from other places, and also drive more business into the other small businesses owned in town.”

Another supporting letter said: “Despite living a few hundred feet from the Beehive on Meneage Street I would like to register my full support for their application to extend their hours. Great to see a local business that provides good jobs for many Helstonians able to offer more hours to their staff and provide a venue that provides entertainment until the early hours.

“Without it, no doubt we’d have more young people wandering the streets with nowhere to go or worse risking drinking driving to nearby towns that do have nightclubs. Far better they have a local option that provides for their needs.”

Mr Hicks, who is vice-president of the Pubwatch scheme in Helston, has written to the council stating that allowing the Beehive to open later will ensure its financial survival as the majority of its income is in the last two hours of trading. “Currently we are the only premises in town which use door staff. I am committed to ensuring the prevention of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in and around drink establishments.

“We operate a zero tolerance policy on drug use, violence and anti-social behaviour in my establishment. We operate well on our current licence with our security arrangements and feel the extra hour will have no negative impact on crime or disorder. We also have an excellent relationship with the local police.”

The licensing committee meeting takes place on Wednesday, September 10.