PUB bosses says they were "surprised" complaints had been levelled at it by neighbours as it fought to stay open for longer. 

The New Leather Bottle, in Shrub End Road, has applied to Colchester Council for a change to its license earlier this year. 

Bosses at the council have now decided to partially grant a controversial pub application for longer opening hours. 

The owners asked to extend the opening hours by one hour from Sunday to Thursday and an permission to provide late-night refreshments on Friday and Saturday between 10pm and 1am. 

Additionally, the pub asked to have live and recorded music from Sunday to Thursday until midnight and until 1am on Friday and Saturday. 

Colchester’s licensing sub-committee met last week where a decision to partially grant the application was made. 

During the meeting, councillors, representatives and residents had their chance to have their say and ask questions. 

The owners argued that the current economic climate made it difficult to keep a pub like the New Leather Bottle running. 

According to Paul Hiller, the license holder, he had several offers from restaurants to take over the pub. 

He said: “We’d just like to have a level playing field with other pubs. We’re doing our best to keep it in line. 

“It’s only a pub. We’re trying to keep it a country pub, an old-fashioned English pub.” 

Residents had voiced their concerns about noise and late-night disturbances, as the pub is located in a primarily residential area. 

During the consultation period, residents complained about smashed glasses and rubbish in the area, and loud and abusive language used by customers. 

But a representative of the pub said many of the objection comments came as a surprise, as the pub claims it had not had many complaints brought forward. 

The application was partially granted, with the modification for the license hours agreed, and the live and recorded music request with amendments. 

As a condition, the pub has to install and maintain a noise limiting device and music after 11.30pm has to be played in the Saloon bar area.