A SOUTHBOURNE beachfront restaurant has had its ambitions to open a temporary outside bar rejected.

Dorset Police had raised concerns that it would be difficult to monitor outdoor alcohol sales proposed in a licence variation put forward by the owners of Bistro on the Beach.

And these were echoed by members of a BCP Council licensing sub-committee which rejected the plans, saying there would be “real difficulties”.

The application was submitted at the beginning of the year and it sought permission to run the bar just outside the bistro's main entrance which would be able to provide off-sales.

Speaking at last month’s sub-committee meeting, its manager, Ian Meads, said the move was for a “temporary, pop-up” facility which would alleviate queues during its peak periods.

It followed a trial of the system run last summer under a short-term licence.

He said it would normally close at about 6-7pm, before the 9pm closure of the bistro. But the application would have allowed it to remain open until midnight.

“For the majority of the year we have no problems serving from the inside bar,” he said. “However, in the summer period we do struggle, there are queues and it is really inconvenient.

“This is a temporary, pop-up bar and would help alleviate queues indoors.”

But the application drew opposition from Dorset Police.

Licensing sergeant Gareth Gosling said he was concerned about the level of control staff would be able to have over who is drinking alcohol.

“There is a significant safety issue with regards to the links between alcohol and sun and people not drinking enough water and we know the effects can be pretty extreme. One in eight coastal deaths in the UK involves alcohol.

“Anti-social behaviour along our beaches, particularly during the peak times, is a big problem for Dorset Police.

“We are talking about an unknown increase in consumption [of alcohol] out onto the beaches of Southbourne.”

He said concerns had also been raised by the neighbourhood policing team.

These were echoed by members of the licensing sub-committee which agreed to refuse permission for the sale of alcohol outside of its main building.

The decision was made last month but was not made public until the minutes of the meeting were published.

“[The sub-committee] share real concerns that the sale of alcohol as off sales would undermine the licensing objectives of crime and disorder and public safety,” they say.

“Off sales from the existing restaurant or the Kiosk would allow customers to buy alcohol to consume on the expansive beach area and the premises would have real difficulties supervising and controlling this expanse.”