A NEW pizza restaurant planned for Bournemouth town centre is facing opposition from police over its plans to serve alcohol.

The Stable, which already has an outlet on Poole Quay in addition to 13 other locations across the UK, has identified the former Tourist Information Centre on Westover Road for its next eatery.

A Dorset-based brand started in 2009 by husband and wife team Richard and Nikki Cooper, the Stable has become well-known for stocking craft cider and sourcing its pizza ingredients locally.

But Dorset Police’s Sgt Richard Niemier has written to Bournemouth council’s licensing board claiming the restaurant’s proposal – which would allow alcohol to be served until 11.30pm each day – would “undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder”.

“The concentration of licensed premises within this area causes problems of anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder,” said Sgt Niemier.

Sgt Niemier cited cumulative impact policy, which calls for new licensing applications in areas with high crime levels to be refused, unless evidence of “exceptional circumstances” which rebut this presumption are provided.

“Whilst some mediation has taken place, Dorset Police is of the view the applicant has failed to demonstrate within their application that there will be no negative cumulative impact,” said Sgt Niemier.

The applicants, represented by specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen, have argued that The Stable is a “food-led” business and “willing to liaise with the responsible authorities”.

“The Stable Group’s experience in other areas, particularly those with cumulative impact, for example Bristol, are that customers tend to drift away quietly,” the application said.

The application added that CCTV will be in operation and that staff will be trained to use the “Challenge 21” policy when serving alcohol.

The proposal includes the off-sale of alcohol, which the applications said would just be of its craft cider in jug-style bottles.

Planning permission to change the use of the Tourist Information Centre to a restaurant has already been granted.

The application will be heard in full by the borough’s licensing board, chaired by Cllr Andrew Morgan, at a town hall meeting on Thursday.