Premier store in Westover Road refused alcohol licence

The proposal for an eventual Premier store at 12 Westover Road was opposed to by existing traders, Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Dorset Police.

Street drinkers, anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder were the primary fears outlined by objectors at a recent BCP Council licensing sub-committee meeting.

Premier Westover, represented by store owner Serkan Yildirim, applied for a premises licence to permit the off sale of alcohol between the hours of 8am to midnight seven days a week.

Originally, the applicant had asked to sell alcohol until 3am but changed this in an attempt to alleviate concerns raised by existing traders and police.

Objections were made in writing and in-person at the meeting.

Samuel Old, representing the nearby Robert Old menswear store, told members while he understood mitigation measures within the store would be undertaken, he feared the problem would be outside the premises.

He said: “Beyond those four walls it’s very difficult to control what might go on, and we may find that may negatively impact us.”

Mr Yildirum himself made representations, highlighting his 17-year record of operating off-licences in the area.

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He said in his experience in running similar establishments in Boscombe, he had taken “extra caution to protect customers and employees” which resulted in “never” having issues with anti-social behaviour.

Licensing consultant David Ramsay echoed Mr Yildirum’s response. He asked the committee: “Surely you agree that a retailer who has an unblemished record as a responsible alcohol retailer should be encouraged to invest in the town when so many are closing their premises?

“He has proved himself to be a responsible retailer of alcohol in some of the most challenging areas in Bournemouth and Poole… [and has] maintained an excellent reputation.”

The empty lot in Westover Road, set to become a Premier store (Image: Newsquest)

Dorset Police licensing officer Louise Busfield said their objection was submitted “almost reluctantly” as, while Mr Yildirum’s good record as a trader was recognised, the “sensitivities of [the] particular area” of Westover Road as an anti-social behaviour hotspot was behind the decision.

The sub-committee noted in the past six months, the town ranger team had logged 40 anti-social behaviour issues between the hours of 9am and 5.15pm in the Westover Road area.

A written submission from the CEO of the nearby YMCA also stated if the licence was granted the premises would constitute a safeguarding risk to their vulnerable residents.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “Taking everything into account the sub-committee took the view that granting a license to these premises would increase the propensity for anti-social behaviour and would exacerbate the existing issues.

“Therefore, the sub-committee unanimously agreed to refuse the application.”