A BAR in Boscombe could have its licence revoked due to “ongoing mismanagement” which culminated in a “serious incident” of disorder in October.

Several visits had been made to Riviera in Christchurch Road by Dorset Police and BCP Council licensing officers over several years leading up to the disturbance, during which four people were arrested.

But both have now said improvements were still not being made and have backed a review of its licence which will be heard on Tuesday (February 4).

“It has always been, and will continue to be, the intention of Dorset Police to engage and support the DPS (designated premises supervisory) and management in a consistent attempt to improve the operation of Riviera,” the request by Dorset Police says.

“However, this latest incident in particular evidences that despite this extensive support and engagement, the licensing objective to prevent crime and disorder is not being promoted.”

Police were called to the disturbance at 4am – more than three hours after its permitted closing time – on October 28 after a report of a man shouting at people and hitting windows.

Four arrests were made but all were later released with no further action planned.

The review request says a “prolonged period of engagement” had been had with Riviera’s management between December 2017 until the incident.

Visits were made by police licensing officers following issues in December 2017, January 2018, November 2018 and July 2019.

“The premises is being operated in contravention of licence conditions and there are incidents occurring as a result of mismanagement,” the review request adds. “Dorset Police no longer has confidence in the DPS or premises licence holder.”

It has urged the council sub-committee to look at “all of the options with particular consideration to revocation” when it considers the bar’s licence on Tuesday.

The review has been supported by the council’s licensing department which said the business was “not being managed effectively”.

In a letter, licensing officer Michelle Fletcher said the bar’s management had found it “difficult to achieve” improvements and those that had been made had “not been maintained”.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service also issued the business with an enforcement notice in October, saying it had “failed to comply” with fire safety regulations.