HEAVENLY York bar The Parish is praying council chiefs will let the spirits flow until the early hours.

But a nearby business, Langley's Solicitors, in Micklegate, has objected to its application to serve alcohol until 2am.

In a letter to City of York Council planners, they claim the extension would have an adverse impact on their business and nearby residents and could lead to more booze-fuelled violence.

The 11th century church building, off Micklegate, which was formerly the Arts Centre, was recently transformed into the bar and eatery at a cost of £1.7 million.

Its original bells have been preserved high above the bar area, and the ringers' ropes hang down within pulling distance.

Nigel Spencer Cooper, who runs The Parish, has applied to extend the hours it serves alcohol to between noon and 2am Mondays to Saturdays and noon to 1.30am on Sundays. They also plan to serve food between those hours and close to the public between noon and 2.30am Mondays to Saturdays and noon and 2am on Sundays.

Mr Cooper said they would implement all the recommendations put forward by the fire service and planning officers.

"We're trying to keep everyone happy," he said.

"We want to provide a good service to customers and food will be available as long as we're open.

"We want it to be a very European bar. We have a zero-tolerance policy to antisocial behaviour."

In their letter of objection, Langley's bosses say that The Parish is in the "approximate" centre of the Cumulative Impact Area, which is identified as "under stress" because of the high concentration of bars and associated issues of late night disorder.

"In that area binge drinking has increased markedly over recent years as a result of, amongst other things, licensed premises operating until the early hours," it says.

Langleys also claim that there was not a significant market for food after midnight and say that the application is "simply an attempt to increase late-night drinking hours".

Managers at the nearby Ramada Encore Hotel, in Micklegate, have also objected to the hours extension because of the potential disturbance to hotel guests and residents.

The matter will go before councillors on Thursday.

Updated: 10:09 Friday, November 18, 2005