Pop-up bar plans for Poole
A decision on whether a planned pop-up bar next to one of the country’s “most expensive and exclusive” marinas will be made today (Monday).
Juniper Tree Catering has put forward proposals for the facility on the demolished Salterns Harbourside Hotel site in Poole this summer ahead of a £150 million redevelopment due to start next year.
But the plan has attracted opposition from people living nearby who described it as “ridiculous and irresponsible” and warned it could lead to issues of anti-social behaviour.
Demolition of the former Harbourside Hotel took place earlier this year to make way for a new hotel and flats development.
Planning permission was granted in 2017 but with construction work not due to start until next year, a pop-up bar is planned for the site this summer.
A licence application was submitted in April and seeks permission to host the temporary bar and restaurant from a cabin on the site.
It includes plans for off-sales, which solicitor Philip Day said was designed to cater for boat owners, and would allow alcohol to be sold from 8am-11pm on weekend days. A 10pm finishing time is proposed for Sunday to Thursday.
Four letters of objection have been submitted to BCP Council opposing the plans, warning it could lead to issues of anti-social behaviour in the surrounding area.
David and Zin Matthews, whose home overlooks the site, described them as “quite ridiculous and irresponsible”.
“If the venue continued the Covid habit of table service with food and licensing for afternoon and evenings, with a limit on numbers, this could be a very acceptable and enjoyable venue for us all,” they said.
“If it descends into a crowd of noisy drunken customers causing misery to the many nearby residents and boat owners, revoking the license will be more difficult than getting it right now.
“We want to support the local hospitality industry and accept that the site has great potential as a venue but it will require responsible management to ensure nuisance is minimised.”
Last week, Juniper Tree Catering’s solicitor Philip Day wrote to the objectors in a bid to allay their concerns.
He said the bar was aimed at people who live in the area and boat owners with high prices putting off most other visitors/
“Whereas the (now demolished) hotel catered for functions such as weddings, no such events will take place under the auspices of this licence,” he said. “There is no reason to suppose that the issues referred to in some of the objections will be repeated.”
“The intention is to provide a facility only for boat owners and local residents. My clients do not expect tourists or people from outside the immediate area to make use of the facility.
“Pricing will be at a premium (£6 for a pint of beer, for example) and realistically, the thousands of people who flocked to Bournemouth beaches last summer will not find their way to Salterns’ Marina”.
Due to the objections, a decision on the licence will have to be made by a council licensing sub-committee. It is due to meet on June 7 to consider the proposals.