ONE of Bournemouth's biggest bars has failed in its bid to stave off the threat of closure.

The future of the Australian theme bar Walkabout will now be decided at a special licensing hearing on September 19, unless the bar owners can reach a compromise with police.

Dorset Police has objected to the pub's licence conversion application because they believe crime and disorder has reached "unacceptable levels" at the bar in Old Christchurch Road. If they are successful, Walkabout will have to shut down from November 24.

Representatives of Walkabout appeared before the licensing board on September 2 to argue there was not enough time for their case to be heard properly before the October 1 deadline.

Instead they asked councillors to deem their licence granted, which would allow them to stay open after the new law comes into effect in November.

But Cllr Anson Westbrook, chairman of the licensing board, refused their request and said he hoped mediation would resolve the issues between police and Walkabout.

The news that one of Bournemouth's biggest bars could be shut down in November has prompted a mixed reaction from Echo readers.

Kate Bowley, 19, of Poole, was enjoying a drink in Walkabout on August 23 when she said she was hit by a plastic glass thrown towards the stage area.

The matter was not reported to the police but she said she needed medical treatment for a cut on her head.

"I was in there because it was a friend's birthday but I wouldn't normally choose to visit Walkabout," she said.

"It used to be okay when it first opened but now you get all sorts of people in there."

And Richard Kurtis, of Wessex Gate, said: "I agree with the police because these large bars and nightclubs promote the ethic of heavy drinking, which in turn promotes healthy profits with a complete disregard for the social consequences."

But there are others that support the pub. Paul Phillips, of Manor Road, said it would be a "terrible thing" if Bournemouth reverted to the sleepy seaside town of 10 or 20 years ago.

And Lisa Causley, of Norfolk Avenue, said she hardly ever saw trouble in Walkabout. "In fact I would say it is the best-behaved place in Bournemouth," she said. "They are very strict on ID and they don't accept any cheek or any fights - you are out straight away."

First published: September 3, 2005