ANGRY residents living near the Priestfield Stadium look likely to suffer defeat against Gillingham FC over plans for late-night opening and entertainment at the ground's Blues Cafe Bar.

Medway councillors are being recommended to give the venue, which can cater for nearly 400 people, a temporary licence, despite 67 protest letters from homeowners.

With proposed opening hours until midnight three days a week and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, the majority of those objecting are worried about excessive noise and parking problems in a residential area.

While they do not object to the cafe in Redfern Avenue operating normal pub hours they feel the extra time under the entertainment licence would lead to unacceptable disruption. Police and environment officers have also voiced similar concerns.

But the council's Environmental Protection Team is recommending approval for a six month temporary public entertainment licence "subject to satisfactory acoustic and parking surveys being completed prior to the licence coming into effect".

It also wants to determine the days and time of operation to be placed on the temporary licence. The team points out that no acceptable acoustic assessment had yet been received from the applicant.

The police say visits made since the liquor licence was granted found it to be a "well-run establishment" and properly managed. But they share residents' worries of noise and parking and fear that the number of customers on certain occasions could increase the likelihood for crime and disorder at the club and in the area.

The matter is due to be discussed at the council's licensing and safety committee tomorrow. Gillingham FC declined to comment on the matter this morning.