A THETFORD pub is set for a new era after being granted an extension of its opening hours.Plans by the owner of The Ark to open until 2.30am at weekends had prompted objections from more than 150 residents over fears about excessive noise and anti-social behaviour.

A THETFORD pub is set for a new era after being granted an extension of its opening hours.

Plans by the owner of The Ark to open until 2.30am at weekends had prompted objections from more than 150 residents over fears about excessive noise and anti-social behaviour.

But Breckland councillors said they hoped to have struck a fitting compromise agreement after granting the pub, in Norwich Road, extra opening hours.

The Enterprise Inns premises, which is currently closed for a £400,000 refurbishment and is set to be renamed Deer's Leap, will be allowed to open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday.

Members of Breckland Council's licensing committee also restricted regulated entertainment such as live music, sporting events, films and plays to 26 days a year.

Ian Sherwood, chairman of the committee, said “virtually everyone” who attended the hearing on Monday wanted to see The Ark re-established as a “family-friendly” pub at the heart of the community that caused “no disturbance to local residents.”

“It is, however, in practical terms very difficult to be certain exactly how this can be achieved. We hope the compromise we have decided upon will go as far as possible to achieve the desired end result,” he said.

Anne Henry, of Norwich Road, who formed a residents' group to oppose the licensing extension, said she was “pleased” with the compromise decision.