A DURSLEY nightclub is to extend its hours to sell soft drinks in a bid to help curb the problems that frequently follow closing time in the town.

Capone's, off Long Street, will stay open for an extra hour at weekends to sell soft drinks and coffee to its customers after bar staff stop serving alcohol at 2am.

The initiative will operate for the first time this weekend.

Owner Stavros Praki hopes that the "chill-out hour" will allow revellers to disperse over a longer time period and reduce the risk of flash-points in the centre of the town.

Mr Praki said: "This is an initiative taken from our industry, which is used in many cities around the country.

"When all the late-night pubs and clubs close at around the same time it puts hundreds of people together in the same street, which can lead to violence. "We have three late-night venues in Dursley with just one kebab house and one small taxi rank.

"Now that the three venues finish at different times, hopefully people will have a good night and be able to get home without any problems."

Mr Praki insisted that the extra hour had not been asked for simply to make money butif it helped to reduce drink-related violence in the town and make Dursley a more attractive place to have a night outthen he would be happy to reap the rewards.

He also said that the management of the club would carefully monitor the initiative to ensure the "chill-out hour" is not abused by people using it to consume large amounts of alcohol bought just prior to 2am.

Added Mr Praki: "You will often get a minority of people who want to ruin things for everybody else, but our staff will be ready for it."

Stroud District Council will be paying close attention to the situation as well. The extension relates to Capone's existing licence, which will need to be renewed on March 31, so council officers could revoke the extra hour then if the initiative proves unsuccessful.

Chief environmental health officer Jon Beckett said: "It is a trial period and we shall be monitoring it closely."