COUNCILLORS have agreed to grant a licence for a new micropub in Poole, despite its application being described as “not fit for purpose”.

At the first ever meeting of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, members of its licensing sub-committee backed 7Bone Burger shareholder, Rich Zammit’s, plans for the former Barclays building in Ashley Cross.

The licence, which follows the granting of planning permission in January, allows the Crazy Camel to sell alcohol and host music and films until 12.30am most days and later on bank holidays.

Mr Zammit said at Wednesday’s meeting that he did not expect the Bournemouth Road micropub’s customers to cause any problems.

“There’s a focus on the quality of the product, rather than people coming in and drinking lots,” he said.

“Micropubs tend to attract older customers who, with all respect, tend to cause fewer issues.”

People living nearby to the Bournemouth Road site had opposed the micropub proposals due to fears about potential noise and anti-social behaviour issues.

Among them was former Poole council leader Elaine Atkinson who said she was already “too threatened and intimidated” to walk to nearby shops.

Representing one of the residents at the meeting, solicitor Philip Day said he was surprised that Dorset Police had not opposed the micropub plans which would allow drinkers to use part of the pavement outside the pub.

“Do you really, in this part of Poole, want to allow people, no matter what their age, out on the street at these hours holding glasses?” he asked councillors. “It’s a recipe for disaster.

“I’m astounded that police haven’t raised concern about this.”

He raised a number of concerns about the lack of detail in the application and said there was nothing to stop someone taking over the "not fit for purpose" licence and running a “less thoughtful” business.

Despite this councillors agreed to grant the licence subject to conditions, although they said they needed more time to consider what they would be.

Cllr David Brown said: “We would like to grant the licence with conditions, however we have had insufficient time to address those fully.

“Therefore we will agree the conditions, and the reasons why we have taken those decisions, within the next 10 working days.

“It was a difficult decision we had to make.”

Mr Zammit said he hoped the micropub could be up and running as soon as June.