NEW shop owners are being praised for trying to help improve a town centre road.

After taking over the old London off-licence in St Michael’s Road in Bournemouth Mike Sollinger and his Turkish wife Ulku have banned troublesome customers and are refusing to serve drunks.

They have also stopped selling some small drinks as they felt those items were attracting the wrong clientele to their shop next to The Triangle.

The shop’s name has been changed to ANJ Off Licence and Mike is working with the police and the Poole Hill Neighbourhood Watch to try to help them stamp out trouble in St Michael’s Road.

“I try to keep an eye on the street to see if anything is happening.

“They were selling tiny ciders here before we took over and we stopped selling them and we don’t serve drunk people.

“I’ve banned a few people too. We want the right people here.”

Mike praised the addition of a CCTV camera in St Michael’s Road as the road has suffered drink and drugs problems.

Drug dealer Daniel Smedley, 30, of Milnow Road, Sheffield, was jailed for five and a half years after admitting possessing firearms, ammunition and drugs found at St Michael’s Hotel.

Poole Hill Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Norman Decent is pleased with Mike and his wife’s approach.

Norman said: “The road has got a lot better recently.

“Mike cares about the shop and I think that’s really helping.”

PCSO Dom Smith, of the Bournemouth Central Safer Neighbourhood, added: “We are really pleased with the efforts they are making and the way they are keen to make the place look nice and tidy.”

And Councillor David Smith said it was “encouraging to hear of the shop owners using their initiative for the better of the area.

“The Triangle and St Michael’s Road is seeing some real effort from the community, police and council,” he added.