MUSIC fans in York could soon be celebrating being able to buy booze after bands finish if premier live venue Fibbers is granted a late licence.

Fibbers boss Tim Hornsby recently made the application to serve until midnight from Monday to Saturday.

The caf bar currently calls time at 11pm, roughly when the venue's nightly gig ends. Tim said: "We would play recorded music during the extra hour, the way we do normally whenever there is no band on, and people could dance and buy a drink if they wanted to.

"It is also a condition of the licence that food is available.

"I am hopeful of getting it. I am sure we can meet the requirements of the police and the licensing magistrates."

PC Ashley Fitzhugh, of York Police Licensing Department, said: "There are guidelines issued to the courts about dance floors and what other provisions should be provided. If these guidelines are taken on board they should be successful."

Frank Cartin, president of York Licensed Victualler's Association, said: "We hope Tim is successful in his application.

"He is running a venue there like no other in York and if a later licence is useful for him then we wish him all the best."

The future of Fibbers looked to be doomed last month when then owner Mr Hornsby closed its doors, blaming "severe cashflow problems."

But the venue reopened six days later after it was bought by national entertainments company Barfly and Mr Hornsby was installed as manager.

Updated: 12:13 Wednesday, September 25, 2002