THE developer behind a new £50m leisure and restaurant complex in Bournemouth town centre has been granted a provisional late-night drinking licence.

Licensing chiefs yesterday approved, in principle, an application for the Nautilus Development, next to the Pavilion in Westover Road, to serve alcohol until midnight.

The revised application was granted after Dorset Police and town centre ward councillor David Smith withdrew their objections to an earlier proposal to serve alcohol until 2am.

Developer Trevor Osborne applied for a “provisional statement” for a late-night drinking licence for the complex which will include several eateries, a Y Bar Lounge, amphitheatre, roof garden and external areas.

His application stated that the development would provide a “much-needed and welcome alternative for older customers,” adding: “It will promote Bournemouth as a family-friendly resort and as a town once again attractive to the older age group seeking a quality, even a luxury, experience.”

It stressed that the development would be well-lit, well-managed and covered by seven CCTV cameras.

Earlier Cllr Smith had warned that a 2am licence would send out the wrong message to prospective applicants for new restaurants and bars in Bournemouth.

But yesterday he said: “I’m happy that they will stop serving drinks at midnight; 2am was unacceptable.”

A Bournemouth council spokeswoman said: “Following an agreement between Dorset Police and the applicants, the Licensing Board granted the Provisional Statement for the Nautilus development.

“However, there was a reduction in the hours permitted for the sale of alcohol with the terminal hour being set at midnight.”