A CAFE has applied to increase its opening hours so it can host more evening events to help the business's "development and survival during the pandemic".

Bocboc coffee shop, on Kiln Lane, wants to be allowed to open until 11pm in order to put on more charity, business and themed events that run later at night.

Currently the Eccleston venue – which underwent a major revamp last year – can open between 8am and 9pm between Mondays and Saturdays and from 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

But it now wants the option of opening until 11pm to host special events and has put in a formal application to St Helens Borough Council.

The eaterie held a number of events, prior to the pandemic, that ran later into the evenings and submitted temporary extension applications to the council for this.

Bocboc is now back open while operating to coronavirus restrictions but, with the hospitality industry under severe pressures, bosses have told the council they feel extending the hours so it can host more events "is essential to offer business development and survival, especially in the current economic climate".

However, the planning bid is facing some opposition, with a series of objections listed on the council's website.

In a statement submitted to the council, the applicant stated: "Bocboc coffee shop is extremely popular local establishment in the local community and is received exceptionally well in the local borough with recent refurbishment and investment.

"This has increased job opportunities and customer footfall and has been a well-received business.

"Bocboc has recently been submitting Temporary Event Notice Applications for regular evening events which have been exceptionally popular, selling out in less than 24 hours to local residents.

"However, the current operational opening hours restrict the business from developing further and providing more opportunities within Eccleston and St Helens.

"Local residents are continually requesting more events e.g. charity, business and themed evenings.

"We feel that this is essential to offer business development and survival, especially in the current economic climate.

"We also consider that a variation in the hours condition attached to the site would not compromise the residential amenities of the area or have any sort of adverse effect on highway safety."

The proposals are listed for public consultation and six objections are on the council's website.

One even describes the plans as a "blatant attempt to lower the tone of the area even further".

The comment states: "There are already existing issues in the area which by approving this application we would dramatically see worsen: parking, anti-social behaviour – which is a severe issue in the local area having the local press reported on it recently. Lack of relevant infrastructure, highway safety, disabled persons' access, fear of crime, Bocboc is located in a residential area."

Another objection claims that the temporary events held previously at Bocboc have led to a "disturbance" in the area with "shouting and screaming" from people who have attended.

St Helens Council will make a decision on the plans.