STUDENTS have hired top licensing lawyers in a bid to win later drinking hours at a union nightclub in the face of more than 100 objections.

The University of Southampton Students’ Union wants to extend opening hours at The Cube on the Highfield campus from 2am to 3am on Fridays.

Niche licensing law firm Poppleston Allen has been instructed to fight their case after the application was refused by councillors earlier this year.

Residents are worried about an increase in late-night noise and drunken students vandalising cars and fences.

Most said they had already been woken by noisy students leaving the venue.

Highfield Residents Association, which represents 500 residents, has described the move as being in “bad faith” and claims the union has reneged on a pledge not to seek another extension.

Association chairman Jerry Gillen said: “The community is incensed and outraged. We consider it an act of bad faith and bad PR. They will be waking people up at 3am instead of 2am.”

He added: “If they don’t withdraw the application we will seek a full review of their licence.”

Mr Gillen said the residents’ association would be putting up its own high profile barrister to object to the licence variation which will be heard before a panel of city councillors.

More than 100 residents have lodged objections. Police have not objected but say they have received complaints of rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour.

New student union president Billy Fitzjohn, who used his election manifesto to pledge more drinks promotions and bigger and better nights at The Cube, said: “We believe we acted in good faith in personally letting our neighbours know of our application for an extension to our licence, and offering to consult with them during the application period. It’s a shame this has been perceived negatively.

“The late licences available in clubs in the city attract our students away from the campus.

“By having students attend our own club, we are able to make better arrangements to reduce the risk of noise when they go home – providing marshals on the streets and safety buses to take students home. If they attend city centre clubs, they still have to make their own way home, often on foot or in taxis and without the marshals.”