A ROWDY bar has had its opening hours reduced after complaints of late night noise.

Charley’s Bar, in Long Road, Canvey, will only be allowed to open until midnight on weekends and 11pm on weekdays, after the ruling by Castle Point Council’s licensing sub-committee.

Councillors were told at the hearing, yesterday, the authority had received 39 complaints from residents about late-night music and noisy customers outside the bar.

Police have also been called to the pub several times, including responding to a large fight outside the building in July, and a serious assault involving two men, in April, which is still being investigated.

Two police officers were also sworn at by drinkers when they drove past the pub in April.

Castle Point environmental health officer Andrew Marshall said: “We are concerned the licensing activities are being undertaken with a blatant disregard for the licensing conditions.

“We believe a stronger management approach is required.”

The pub used to be called Madison’s Bar, but was renamed Charley’s Bar in April after current landlord and owner Michael Aubrey, 44, took it over.

During the hearing, the police showed stills from CCTV footage of Mr Aubrey and four drinkers in the bar as late as 3am, two hours after its licence permitted.

There was also an image of Mr Aubrey receiving money for a drink and putting it in the till.

Speaking in Mr Aubrey’s defence, solicitor David Hook said it was a private drink involving the landlord, his former partner and three of his old colleagues.

He said: “It had been shut to the public for some hours.

“There is no TV on, no music on, they are having a drink together quietly, with the front doors shut.

“Mr Aubrey admits he took money for a drink, but he did not know that was an offence.”

The sub-committee ruled the bar must install a noise-limiting device to switch off the music when it reaches a certain decibel level, as well as signs asking customers to be quiet as they leave the pub.

The bar’s new closing hours are 11pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday, instead of 1am at weekends.