Strict licence conditions imposed on new bars in York are being ignored, thisisyork reveals today.

Infringements of licensing restrictions, ranging from playing music too loudly through to not using waiter service, are taking place on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the city.

An investigation into city centre drinking revealed that only one out of seven bars adheres firmly to its licensing conditions - and that was the only empty one.

The six others managed what is believed to be 11 breaches of their conditions in a three-hour period.

A number of bars have opened in recent years in the city as part of an initiative to introduce "European-style" drinking.

But the strict licensing requirements put in place by magistrates are being shunned by many bar owners keen to attract drinkers into their premises.

Instead of seated customers ordering drinks from waiters against a backdrop of relaxing music, a night out in York sees young people fighting their way to the bar to the strains of loud disco music.

A letter sent out by the licensing office warning city centre landlords of an impending curb on under-age and after-hours drinking has sparked anger at this apparent "double-standard".

"These caf-bars are opening all over the place and some are abusing these conditions and getting away with it," said Janet Keenan, licensee at the Little John Inn, Castlegate.

"If the police are sending out letters, then how can some bars continue to get away with this behaviour?"

A reporter witnessed a number of licence breaches, detailed below.

We asked bar managers for their responses to our findings.

Nickki Dickens, manager of Bar 38, said: "We keep the music at what we believe is background music and our doorstaff are registered and wear logo'd T-shirts."

She said a chef works until 10.30pm each night.

Virginie Balthazard, manager at the Pitcher and Piano, is also confident her bar "adheres to licensing conditions."

"Our music levels are within guidelines and our doorstaff are registered," she said.

The Varsity was unavailable for comment. Katie Driver, licensee at the Ha Ha Bar and Canteen, said: "Both our doormen are registered and have their badges in their pockets."

Kennedy's did not want to comment and a member of staff at Kites also refused to comment, but added: "I hope you die".

Nathan Hazel, manager at City Screen, which was the only bar we visited that sticks strictly to its licensing conditions, said: "We take pride in adhering to licensing conditions and would like the magistrates to bear that in mind when it comes to our application for a full-licence."

And with the annual report to the licensing committee due tomorrow, at the Brewster Sessions of York magistrates, PC Ashley Fitzhugh, of York police licensing office, said routine checks were taking place into licensed premises and police would be looking carefully over the coming year into the conditions of existing outlets.

"York is a very safe place to drink," said licensing officer PC David Boag.

"There are very few incidents of disorder and violence in licensed premises."

We saw:

Ha Ha: Must have registered doorstaff (Doorstaff wore no badges)

Kennedy's: Must have registered doorstaff. Alcohol will only be served to persons who are seated - by waiter service only (One out of three doorstaff wore badges, alcoholic drinks served at bar)

Kites: Background music only. (Music broke up conversation)

Varsity: Background music only. Waiter service only downstairs. (Very loud volume music, people served at the bar downstairs)

Bar 38: Background Music only, Must have registered doorstaff, Substantial food until 10pm (Loud disco music, only some doorstaff wore badges, waiter cooked our food at 9.45pm as "chef had gone home")

Pitcher and Piano: Must have registered doorstaff, Background music only (Only some doorstaff wore badges, music blaring on both floors)

City Screen: Members and ticket-holders only (Refused to serve us as weren't members.)

Updated: 12:21 Wednesday, February 07, 2001