A restaurant in Watford town centre has won permission to extend its opening hours after police failed to lodge any objections against the plan.

A previous hearing to determine whether Sandwich Box, in The Parade, could open until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays was adjourned to await a response from police, after third party evidence suggested they opposed the application.

But last night (Tuesday), Watford Borough Council's development control committee heard officers had not made any objections.

However, instead of the additional hours on the application, planning officers recommended it only be allowed to open until 12.30am on Thursdays.

Sandra Polat, owner of Sandwich Box, said: “If we could make a living in the daytime I wouldn't be applying for a late-night license. There's other shops very near to our shop that are open late and I don't understand why it would cause a problem for us to try.

“We don't want to create more of a problem in the area but there's problems there anyway. All I'm asking is to give us a try. I certainly don't want any problems. We just want to make a living. That's all we want to do.”

Councillor Rabi Martins said he was surprised police had not objected to the plan.

He said: “I don't want to interfere with the livelihood of anyone in the town centre. But unlike other applications we have granted, this one has got people living above and behind it and that makes it slightly different to the other establishments in the Cafe Quarter.

“But having said that I also recognise the current hours would make this business un-viable.”

Councillor George Derbyshire raised fears over increasing “disorder” in the town centre.

He said: “There's certainly a lot of evidence that late-night refreshment places, particularly those which are take-aways are flash points in the town centre and people do tend to congregate there when their drinking is finished and there has been and still is quite a lot of trouble outside these sorts of premises.

“If these premises are to be continued to be used as a cafe, I don't see why a cafe should close at 2am. But I recognise they need more trading hours. However, 2am for a cafe does seem to me to be a bit excessive and unnecessary.”

Councillor Steve Rackett said: “Unless there's an objection from the police, I cannot see how we can possibly reject this application.”

“I do feel for the residents that live nearby,” said Councillor Sheila Smillie, “and I'm sure that will be taken into account when it comes to licensing. I do want to support a local business.

Councillor Ellie Burtenshaw added: “This is going to be somewhere where people are taken off the street. If it was a takeaway we would try and get the hours reduced.”

Councillor Martins tabled a motion to restrict opening hours to 12.30am on Thursdays and until 1am on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

However, this was rejected by four votes to three, with one abstention. Committee chairman Alan Burtenshaw took the deciding vote.

Members then approved the original recommendations by four votes to two, with one abstention.