PEOPLE power has forced an about-turn from an Oxford pub which wanted to open into the early hours – but it is allowed to serve pints from 9am.

The White Horse, in London Road, in Headington, had submitted an application to Oxford City Council to stay open until 1am.

Dozens of neighbours bombarded the council with protests about the plan.

They said they feared the pub would effectively become a nightclub, leading to an increase in late-night noise and violence.

The pub’s owner, Greene King, withdrew the application moments before a licensing committee hearing was due to start at Oxford Town Hall on Thursday.

Instead, councillors agreed the pub could open between 9am and 11pm, with an extension to the times that under18s were allowed into the bar area to use the restaurant under the supervision of their families.

Richard Jackson, 66, of Headley Way, said: “There’s been a few problems over the years when they’ve only been open until 11pm, with fights and shouting and screaming in the street, but a lot of that is out of the pub’s control.

“I’ve lived here 20 years and in the heyday, when Oxford United were at the Manor Ground and it was busy with fans, we never had these problems.

“I’m a lot more comfortable they’re not open until 1am and if people want to drink at 9am, then that’s up to them. I don’t think the pub realised what local feeling there was.”

Some 65 residents, all from Headley Way and London Road, signed a petition opposing the late-night extension, including pensioners at the neighbouring Victoria Court Nursing Home.

Thames Valley Police also opposed the application.

Headington city councillor David Rundle said: “This is a victory for people power. We’re delighted and all credit goes to the local residents.

“Obviously this is only a stage in the process and I want to continue working with local residents to make sure improvements Greene King promised are happening.”

Some residents feared trouble late-night noise believed to be associated with the pub’s current opening hours would worsen if it was extended.

Others were upset a 1am licence would mean extra door security, which they claimed would give the pub a reputation as a nightclub, attracting more people from across the city.

The pub has recently re-opened as part of the brewery’s Hungry Horse chain.

Regional manager David Stallard said: “We have consulted our neighbours and I’m glad we have found a solution which the licensing board agrees with.

“We have spent a considerable amount of money re-developing the White Horse into a family-friendly, food-led pub.”

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk