A PETITION calling for a Hereford nightclub to be able to extend its last entry time has been supported by more than 200 people.

Jon Jones, owner of Mamma Jammas nightclub, is requesting permission to change the last entry time to 3am, rather than 2am at the West Street venue.

More than 200 people have signed an online petition backing the calls and Mr Jones said he believes the current conditions are undermining the licensing objectives.

Mr Jones said: "We turn 30 to 50 people away a week because of the condition. Business is hard.

"We're not going to go out and give out free drinks to increase people through the door.

"We quite honestly think that a last entry time two hours before the terminal hour is undermining the licensable objectives and not allowing the free flow of people in the city.

"We are the latest club in the city and we're proud of that. However a lot of pubs are still open when we cease being able to let people in. As you can see the support has been fantastic."

Mr Jones said that, should the condition be approved he would employ an extra SIA door supervisor to monitor any potential customers at the front of the building from 2am until close.

He added that a later last entry time could allow the club to open in the week again. "We used to use the extra money generated to subsidise the wages in the week," he said.

"When the condition was imposed that money wasn't there so we stopped opening Sunday to Thursday. We'd like to open again so we can offer people the choice and also my staff the chance to earn some extra wages."

West Mercia Police said it would be 'wrong' to respond during a consultation period.

"This matter is subject to a 28-day consultation period where it is usual for the applicant to make contact with those responsible authorities who have concerns over what they are requesting," said Inspector Nick Semper.

"It would be wrong for the police to expand on their concerns during this important period and would encourage the owner of the night club to make contact with them to discuss a way forward."

The petition can be found online at thepetitionsite.com/671/083/242/mamma-jammas-should-have-a-3am-last-entry-time-instead-of-2am