A MALDON micro-pub has applied to change its opening hours.

The Tap Room, on High Street, is run by the Mighty Oak Brewing Company and opened in the town in October last year.

The micro-pub, which was formerly a disused tearoom, is allowed to use the ground floor of the property, which has a small serving area, benches and stalls, from 11am to 11pm Mondays to Sundays.

It can also use the first floor, which has sofas and chairs, until 7pm.

But the Mighty Oak have now applied to change planning conditions restricting the hours to allow them to open until 1am every day, with the sale of alcohol stopping at midnight.

The planning statement said the original opening hours had been agreed with Maldon District Council as a “compromise” while the business was set up.

It said: “There was no certainty of its success apart from the written support of many local people as noted in the original change of use application from a tea room to a micro pub.

“The Mighty Oak Tap Room has become a welcome addition to the High Street showing both vitality and viability and is making a positive contribution to the town.

“The proposal of this application is to extend the opening hours of the ground floor of the building so that they are in line with other similar establishments in the town and by providing quantified evidence the restrictions as to the use of the first floor can brought in line with the ground floor.”

The statement added that the Tap Room had now proved to be a popular and viable business attracting customers from all over the district.

Maldon District Council will decide on the plans by December.