A DORCHESTER retirement home has applied for an alcohol licence - amid assurances that under-age drinking will not be tolerated at the site.

Poundbury-based Bowes Lyon Court, a retirement living facility for people aged 70 and above, has submitted an application to Dorset Council to serve alcohol between the hours of 11am and 11pm Monday to Sunday.

The development is run by Bournemouth-headquartered McCarthy Stone, a national retirement home company, which wants to serve a 'limited range' of alcohol to residents, their relatives and friends.

The application states that alcohol consumption would generally take place with a meal - such as Sunday lunch - although there may also be occasions when homeowners choose to gather for a social drink or event in the communal area of the development.

Dorset Echo:

If granted, the premises would operate a 'Challenge 25' proof of age scheme whereby any person attempting to buy alcohol who appears to be under 25 will be asked for photographic ID to prove their age.

The building is not open to the general public - meanwhile, additional security measures proposed as part of the licensing application include a CCTV system covering all public areas and the street environment, to enable facial identification.

The application is for alcohol to only be sold for consumption on the premises.

In a statement supporting the application, a spokesman for McCarthy Stone said: "(Our) purpose is to champion the role, wellbeing and happiness of older people.

"We offer a very limited alcohol range and sales are very limited on the premises, largely for people aged 70 years and over, and their guests – all of whom will be specifically invited – and or bona fide relatives or friends of residents.

"The premises are not be open to the public and the property is secured by a keypad entry to the premises by a video door entry system. All visitors are required to pre-arrange their visit with the homeowner and sign in on arrival."

Prince Charles named the retirement complex after his late grandmother - taken from the Queen Mother’s maiden name, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.

It was officially opened in 2017 by Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Peters, and in 2019 received a 100 per cent satisfaction score among home owners.

The alcohol licensing application is open for public comment until July 1 on Dorset Council's website.