BCP COUNCIL has released a statement about their licensing rules for beach front bars and restaurants.

This comes as the Beach Hut Bar and Grill in West Cliff recently closed down weeks after opening, ‘due to the council's rules and restrictions’.

These reportedly included: “No hens, stags and groups allowed as it encourages excessive drinking.

“No alcoholic drinks without food. Only two drinks per person.

“Food must be ordered first before drinks. Food must be ordered at the table.

“And no loud music or DJs.”

READ MORE: Bournemouth beach bar closes weeks after opening

Members of the public have since questioned why all the beach pop-ups are not subject to the same rules.

The council says the six pop-ups attached to established restaurants on the beach front such as: West Beach, The Prom Diner, SOBO Beach, Sunset Beach and El Murrino have premises licenses that are considered on an individual basis. 

However, pop ups which have licenses held by BCP Council such as the Beach Hut Bar and Grill did, have the same conditions, which is that alcohol cannot be served without food, due to concerns raised by Dorset Police.

There are currently three such pop-ups.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture & Vibrant Places says:  “There is a great selection of well-established permanent restaurants located along the seafront. Each of these premises hold their own licence.

"Conditions may vary from business to business as applications are assessed on individual merit by the Licensing Committee which includes input from Dorset Police and Environmental Health.

"To enhance the seafront further and create a more cosmopolitan vibe, a few locations were identified that would be ideal for three summer beach pop-ups that aren’t attached to existing venues. 

"These licences are not held by the individual business operator but by BCP Council and following representations from Dorset Police at the licensing stage,  it was decided that these pop-up offers can only serve alcohol with food.”

Newly opened SOBO beach holds it own license and was recently granted a permit to serve alchohol. 

Speaking about this on Twitter, Councillor Dunlop said: “Licensing is not our decision, but they have been granted their licence.

“The three new pop up licences are not privately held like this, the council is the licensee, Dorset Police would not support the application for anything other than restaurants. We’re not the obstacle.”