Alcohol licence application rejected for Bournemouth upcoming C-store

Alcohol license for a coming-soon convenience store in Bournemouth town centre has been refused due to police and business fears over anti-social behaviour citing street drinkers, anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder. 

According to recent reports, 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 at the upcoming Premier store at 12 Westover Road. The proposal was opposed to by existing traders, Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Dorset Police with 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. 

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

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 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.” 

Dorset Police licensing officer Louise Busfield said their objection was submitted “almost reluctantly” as, while 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.