ULVERSTON'S biggest nightclub can stay in business after its public entertainment licence was renewed yesterday (Thursday) despite stiff opposition from residents.

South Lakeland District Council's licensing committee agreed to renew Buffers's licence for six months but with a string of stiff conditions.

Weekend club-goers will only be allowed entry to the Station Approach venue until 11.45pm instead of 1am, although the club will still be allowed to stay open until 2am.

Club managers will also have to employ a community warden' to patrol neighbouring streets between 11pm and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays to help move people away from the club and to identify and report anti-social behaviour to the police.

Buffers will also have to set up a forum including representatives from the club and local residents.

Residents' spokesman Tony Rigby said the conditions were "a step in the right direction" but said the club's neighbours would still object when it came to renew its licence in six months' time.

Martyn Merckel of Buffers declined to comment.

The committee ruling came after a full day's hearing at Ulverston's Coronation Hall.

Inspector Dave Spedding reported that a joint effort by Buffers management and police to speed-up the departure of club-goers from the venue had improved things. But he said there was still noise and disturbance on the road away from the club.

Meanwhile, residents argued that the police efforts had not put an end to their suffering. Mr Rigby said: "We are not objecting to the management of the club itself, our main objection is the shouting, foul language, drink, disorder, urinating, defecating and vandalism caused by persons walking to and from Buffers. Despite the co-operation of the club with the police, the situation hasn't improved.

"We are disturbed until 3am, sleep is impossible. It's affected our health, it's worrying and stressful and severely affects our lives every single weekend. This is anti-social behaviour and we shouldn't have to put up with it."

Fellow elderly resident Joan Brown said: "You can have the most aggressive gangs of youths on Princes Street. I have had three bedroom windows broken and obscene notes stuck to my door. The police try to help but it's frightening to live on Princes Street on your own."

The committee spent more than an hour reviewing video tapes showing people shouting, urintating and defecating outside their homes.

For the club, solicitor John Siddle said Buffers was an important amenity for the town, serving 550 people every weekend and keeping people in Ulverston's pubs. He pointed out that a crown court judge had seen fit to renew Buffers' licence after assessing objectors' concerns. Furthermore, Buffers could not be held responsible for all bad behaviour in the streets.