An application by a town centre nightclub to stay open until 3.30am on weekdays has been refused by councillors following concerns about public nuisance and disorder.

Boogie Lounge, in Waterloo Road, Epsom, is open from 10am to 2.30am on Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 1.30am on Sundays. It has a licence to supply alcohol from 10am to 2am on Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 1am on Sundays.

The nightclub applied to extend the opening times to 3.30am on Thursday to Friday, and change them to 12pm to 2.30am on Sundays, with a licence to supply alcohol from 10am to 3am on Thursday to Friday, and from 12pm to 2am on Sundays.

This was refused by Epsom Council’s licensing hearing sub-committee last Wednesday (July 31), to the agreement of residents who say they are woken up by noisy revellers leaving the venue in the early hours.

Waterloo Road is in the 'red' zone of the borough's zoning policy which specifies different criteria for clubs and bars applying for new licences or major variations depending on whether they are in the red, amber or green zone.

In the red zone, licences beyond 1am can only be applied for if venues can show they would not add to the "cumulative impact for the area".

Boogie Lounge’s application was the first challenge to the zoning policy since it was introduced last year.

Surrey Police opposed the extension, citing 54 incidents at Boogie Lounge in the last year - 34 of which were public order incidents outside the club.

It stated: "The measures to ensure the extension does not add to the cumulative impact of the town centre red zone are insufficient."

Councillor Rob Geleit, committee chairman, said: "This was an emotive application taking into consideration the needs of business and concerns of local residents and public nuisance."

Boogie Lounge, which started an online petition for the change, stated in its application: "With the current economic climate and facing strong competition it’s important for Boogie Lounge to sustain its business."

It said an upgraded CCTV system, signs asking people to leave the club quietly, and a dispersal policy restricting large gatherings outside the club were among the measures it takes.

Tony Axelrod of Hudson House, off Waterloo Road, said the decision was "proportionate".

He said: "Long dispersal times are the problem. The noise carries on an hour after closing times."