The JD Wetherspoon pub chain has lost its High Court battle with Guildford Borough Council regarding late licensing.

Wetherspoon appealed against the council’s decision to reject its bid for a late licence at its Lloyd’s No 1 site on Bridge Street, Guildford.

Bob Cotton of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) said: “I think we will see a number of late licences being reduced, as the decision to turn down Wetherspoon sets a precedent that is open to local interpretation.”

He added that government plans to introduce Alcohol Disorder Zones, designed to address alcohol misuse, will likely result in further cases where pubs have their late licences revoked.

The council rejected Wetherspoon’s bid to extend hours to 2am, due to police concerns that the surrounding area was already a hotspot for alcohol-related offences.

Chief superintendent of Surrey police said the decision will "help efforts to reduce alcohol-related disorder in the town."