“FRESH and unique” restaurants are being sought as part of BCP Council’s pop-up beach plans for the summer.

The council has begun advertising for companies willing to set up temporary operations on Bournemouth’s beaches ahead of a final decision on its licence applications.

It said it was looking to “animate the seafront with stylish restaurants” as part of its plans to accommodate a predicted influx in visitors over the coming months.

Decisions on five separate licence applications to facilitate these are due to be made at two meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Concerns have been raised by dozens of people living across the seafront that these could bring back scenes of disorder seen last year.

“Alcohol is already known as a key ingredient in the problems experienced on the beach in 2020,” Alan Dove, the chairman of Bournemouth Townwatch, said. “It would seem much more appropriate that the capacity of the premises be restricted and this capacity to be appropriate to a small scale pop-up facility.”

But business leaders have praised the move, saying it would transform Bournemouth into a “world class destination”.

“I’m fully supportive of controlled, well-managed local operators bringing a bit of the south of France or Spain to the town,” Andy Lennox, the founder of hospitality association, the Wonky Table, said.

Despite decisions having yet to be made on its applications, the council has already started the tendering process in a bid to find businesses willing to take up a berth from mid-May untilthe end of September.

It is offering sites at Bournemouth Pier, East Cliff and West Cliff for the whole four-month period as well as a fourth at the Toft Zigzag for the duration of the air festival.

“The council is looking for fresh and unique restaurant offerings to facilitate the additional tourist footfall expected for 2021,” its contract description says. “Each area must be high quality in its design which will fit in a thriving and contemporary town and a family-style event.”

Bids are being accepted until Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the second of two meetings of the council’s licensing committee is expected to end.

Tuesday's meeting will see councillors consider two new licence applications – East Cliff and Toft Zigzag – with the remaining three, which are variations of existing licences, being determined on Wednesday.