Police have not objected to extended opening hours at bars and clubs in Oxford on Millennium Eve.

In a surprise move at Oxford City Council's licensing panel last night, Insp Dave Hill said the police would be making no formal objections to applications for extensions because officers were keen not to be seen as party-poopers on such a special occasion.

The stance contradicted a letter to councillors on the licensing panel from Supt John Carr, of Oxford police, which suggested that public entertainment licences granted beyond 3am would "be likely" to attract a formal objection. Insp Hill, licensing inspector for Oxford police, said: "The last thing the police want to be seen as for this event is killjoys."

He added that Supt Carr had expressed concerns about staffing levels on the night and the possible difficulty of policing the number of people who could be on the streets.

"Staggering the time that premises close throughout the night could help," he said.

Councillors on the panel granted all applications, except The Mongolian Wok Bar in George Street's application to extend its normal opening hours until 5am - an extension of five hours. Chairman Mary Clarkson said: "We need more information from the applicant, who is entitled to re-apply." Chicago Rock Cafe in Park End Street was allowed to extend its normal opening hours from 11pm to 2am, on the condition that tickets should be bought in advance.

Cllr David Connett added that staff should ensure that rubbish skips outside were not blocking emergency exits.

The Po Na Na Club in Magdalen Street was granted an extension from 2am until 4am. Licensee John Ponte said all 195 tickets for the event would be sold in advance.

Adrian Hicks, licensee of the Zodiac Club in Cowley Road, was granted a public entertainment licence until 6am for about 600 club goers. The council's licensing officer, Tony Payne, said residents should not be disturbed by noise from the club after 2am.

Cowley Workers Social Club in Between Towns Road, Oxford, was also granted an extension from midnight until 2am, while the Park End Club in Park End Street, which already has a licence to stay open until 4am, withdrew its application for a new extension. It already has a licence to stay open until 4am.

Mr Payne said afterwards that in June, the Home Office granted a one-off liquor licence for all premises from 11am on Millennium eve to 11pm on Millennium day because of the large number of applications.

Story date: Tuesday 02 November

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