Parlourmentary deli in Southbourne has alcohol licence approved

Independent cheese and cured meats shop Parlourmentary in Southbourne Grove was permitted by BCP Council’s licensing sub-committee to sell alcohol daily as well as play recorded music in the store.

Despite two objections from residents concerned about public nuisance resulting from the sale of alcohol, the committee voted unanimously in favour of the plans.

Parlourmentary owner James Fowler, who also owns the nearby Larder House and Terroir Tapas in Southbourne, said the shop would sell locally made wines, beers and spirits to compliment their stock of locally produced food.

Mr Fowler told the committee Parlourmentary intended to host cheese and wine tasting events in the future, which an alcohol licence would enable.

Beer products from the Dorset-based Hall and Woodhouse Brewery

He said: “Our key objective is to be able to offer our local shoppers alcohol to take away. We’re going to put out a selection of local wines and spirits, and as well as that host cheese pairing evenings with local beers.”

Mr Fowler also stressed music played in the store would be normal background music for ambience.

The shop will be able to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm each day, however late sales will only take place during pre-arranged cheese tasting events as the store predominantly closes at 6pm.

While it did not offer any objections, Dorset Police did impose several conditions to the licence for the committee to agree to. This includes:

• All staff concerned with the sale of alcohol shall be trained
• An incident log shall be kept at the premises.
• Challenge 25 shall be operated at the premises.
• A CCTV system shall be installed to cover all entry and exit points.
• On sales of alcohol to be ancillary to pre-arranged food tasting event.

In its reason for unanimously approving the application, BCP Council said: “The sub-committee acknowledged the concerns expressed but believed that the conditions put forward by the applicant and Dorset Police would address the relevant concerns raised to ensure compliance with the licensing objectives.

“The submissions were mainly concerns speculating what may happen in the future should the application be granted – the sub-committee did not find any evidence to justify a refusal of the application.”