City councillors have refused to extend opening hours at an Oxford bar, in a bid to protect residents from being disturbed late at night.

At yesterday's strategic development control committee, councillors turned down an application from Chicago Rock Cafe, in Park End Street, to extend opening hours on Friday and Saturday from midnight to 1am.

The venue, which opened four years ago, opens from 11am to midnight on weekdays and Saturday, and from noon to midnight on Sunday.

Planning officer Murray Hancock warned councillors they were likely to lose if the case went to an appeal.

He said: "This is a well-run establishment. If we go to a public inquiry without hard evidence we will lose the case."

The committee also heard there were a number of venues in the area which had been granted such opening hours.

Councillors refused the application after Mohammed Abbasi, who represents St Mary's ward, said he had often seen scenes of disturbance outside the venue as he drove his taxi late at night.

He said: "I have seen serious violence outside the Chicago Rock Cafe.

"I have seen people stabbed and bleeding on footpaths."

Jamie Whittingham, one of the managers at the venue, said staff at the chain's head office would comment later.

He added there was no trouble inside the venue.