A BEACHFRONT bar has won a licence to sell alcohol in the spring and summer months despite concerns it would lead to public disorder.
Restaurant and club operator Aruba was permitted by BCP Council’s licensing sub-committee for the sale and off sale of alcohol at its popular Sunset Beach pop-up bar on the beach at Pier Approach.
The pop-up concept was started in 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic and proved a hit with visitors. However, under the previous licensing agreement, Aruba was only able to sell alcohol as part of a meal sale. Off sales of alcohol were also not permitted.
According to the operator, business suffered a drop in 2022 as a result.
Upon applying for a new licence, Aruba was hit with an objection from Dorset Police who felt such provisions would “undermine” their crime prevention and public safety objectives – citing Pier Approach as a known anti-social behaviour hotspot.
Sergeant Gareth Gosling, of the drug and alcohol harm reduction team, said: “This is a very sensitive area. During the peak periods we do experience a huge uplift in demand.
“We have a family friendly beach and I do see that as moving on a slippery slope in terms of having loads of bars and vertical drinking on the beach, which does give me concern.”
However solicitor Julie Palmer, on behalf of Aruba, referenced her client’s record in running similar establishments with the same licensing conditions elsewhere.
“This is not a new and untried operation,” she told the licensing sub-committee meeting on January 18. “This team has operated this venue without incident for the last two years.”
According to Ms Palmer, no police call outs were made to the Sunset Beach pop-up bar in 2021 or 2022.
It was noted that prior to the meeting, to mediate the concerns of Dorset Police, Aruba amended their application by reducing the hours for sale of alcohol.
The committee noted that Aruba had operated the same premises under a BCP Premises Licence for the last two summers and Sergeant Gosling was complementary about the running of the premises. They were also reassured that the removal of the food condition would not add to crime and disorder.
Ultimately, licence was granted to allow the sale of alcohol on the premises to a terminal hour of 10.00pm Sundays to Wednesdays and to 10.30pm Thursdays to Saturdays, bank holiday Sundays and during the Air Festival.
The sale of alcohol off the premises was granted for the period of April 1 to September 30.
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