AN ELECTION day row has kicked off between councillors and officers in Bournemouth over a decision not to serve alcohol at tonight’s count.

In particular, two independent councillors seeking re-election are angry at the decision to close the bar at the Littledown Centre.

Anne Rey, who is hoping to retain her Throop and Muscliff seat, said: “I’m absolutely disgusted.

“It’s ridiculous to close a bar at 10pm at night when most people will not be there until 11 or 11.30pm.

“We’ve got people who have worked all day and are standing in this town to serve this town and they cannot get a drink.

“I’m appalled and we’re being treated like children.”

Cllr Rey called for a private company – rather than the current BH Live trust – to run the Littledown Centre.

“Do they not need the business? Is it doing so well that they can afford to close the bar at 10pm?

“Do they think we’re going to get blind drunk and fight?” she added.

Fellow independent councillor Ron Whittaker, bidding for re-election to the Throop and Muscliff ward, fired off an angry email to the council's chief executive Pam Donnellan.

“Having read your so-called reasons why you think it not appropriate to serve alcohol at the Littledown centre for candidates and observers, it really is beyond me,” he said.

“In 2007 the bar was open at least until midnight with no problems whatsoever.”

But Conservative councillor Nick King, who himself runs a bar and is looking to retain his Littledown and Iford seat, said: “It’s not a jolly, it’s democracy in action and I’m sure it’s appropriate not to have people drinking where that’s happening.

“With my licensee hat on, I can see why they’re doing it.

“I’m not sure what the fuss is about. I can understand why they’ve done it and it’s the responsible thing to do.”

Council returning officer Pam Donnellan said: “It is not appropriate to have alcohol being served at election counting venues.

“The bar will stop serving alcohol at 10pm and soft drinks, tea and coffee, and light snacks will be available up to 1am, subject to demand.”

The council added that at the last local election in 2007 the Littledown Centre bar closed at 11pm.

Since then the centre has revised its opening times and now shuts at 10pm daily.

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