A PUB'S bid to try and increase its business has been knocked back after its plan was deemed inappropriate by officials.

Bosses at The White Star, on Oxford Street, had hoped to boost the number of tables and chairs placed outside its premises in a bid to encourage more custom.

In an application submitted to Southampton City Council, developers had hoped to create seven new tables.

It said: "As a result of changing social habits (2007 smoking ban and the increase emphasis surrounding

drink driving) public houses across the UK are having to adapt by increasing their food offer to remain viable.

"The additional tables and chairs proposed will allow The White Star to increase their offer of al fresco dining, allowing the public house to adapt to the above changing social habits.

"As public houses such as The White Star are relying more on the trade of food as opposed to alcohol, guests are staying at the pub for longer durations of time and therefore holding on to tables for longer, contributing to the demand for additional tables."

However, planning officers at the city council said the proposal would not leave sufficient 'footway' for pedestrians.

In its refusal letter, the council said: "The reduction of the available footway would not leave sufficient 'footway' left, which would result in potential conflict and obstruction to pedestrian flow in this busy street, especially during the evenings and weekends."

A spokesperson from the pub said there was no comment they wished to make on the application.