PLANS for a convenience store to offer late-night alcohol sales in Bournemouth town centre have been refused due to police and business fears over anti-social behaviour.
The proposal for Seafront Mini Market at 18 Westover Road was met with opposition by existing traders, Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Dorset Police licensing officers.
As reported, businesses in Westover Road said they already experienced issues of drug-taking, indecent exposure, threatening behaviour and drunkenness.
Objections were made in writing and in person at a recent BCP Council licensing sub-committee meeting.
Catherine Gosney, owner of Roberta Boutique, that there were daily problems in Westover Road during the peak holiday season.
“In the wet and cold months of the year the environment feels very dangerous. My customers don’t feel safe; I don’t feel safe and my staff don’t feel safe,” she said.
The owner of Seafront Mini Market, Elina Kadir, disagreed that the opening of the store would cause problems, referencing a similar business her family had in Old Christchurch Road as well as in London.
Initially the licence application, which was in the name Seaside Mini Market, sought permission to sell alcohol until 3am, however, the applicant had offered to closed at 1am along with employing security staff on Friday and Saturdays.
Tom Hollington, representing Mrs Kadir, at the meeting said the shop would “revitalise” the Westover Road area.
He said the Old Christchurch Road business had operated successfully for a number of years without any issues.
Dorset Police licensing officer Louise Busfield said the area was a “hot spot” for problems. She said the force had “really serious concerns” that granting the licence will exacerbate the problems currently being experienced.
After hearing submissions from all interested parties, councillors on the sub-committee sat in private to reach their decision, which was announced the following week.
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A BCP Council spokesperson said: “Following concerns raised by both Dorset Police and Bournemouth Town Centre BID, BCP Council’s sub-committee took the view that granting a license to these premises would likely increase anti-social behaviour in this area.
“The decision was therefore taken to refuse the licence application.”
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