A FORMER high street pharmacy premises in a Bournemouth suburb is set come back into use as a Thai tapas restaurant.

Cerise Tuvey is seeking permission from BCP Council for a premises licence for 128 Charminster Road to operate a restaurant with bar facilities.

The premises was previously occupied by Rowlands Pharmacy, but the business vacated last summer and merged its operation with the existing chemist at Fiveways, further down Charminster Road.

Ms Tuvey's application has been met with objections from Queen's Park ward councillors Mark Anderson and Cheryl Johnson.

As a result it is due to go before the local authority's licensing sub-committee for a decision on Wednesday, March 2.

The councillors' objections, which are the only representations before the sub-committee, are on the grounds that granting the application would undermine all four licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm.

Cllr Johnson said the licensing application's request to operate until 2am in the morning was too late.

"This is a residential area and residents are concerned that giving permission for this will cause a public nuisance and disturb residents, particularly children’s quality of sleep."

Cllr Anderson said granting the extra licence "will have a huge negative impact on the work" the council and police are doing to tackle anti-social behaviour and disorder in Charminster Road.

"This property abuts a residential area and we already have regular complaints about the noise, urinating and drug use from people leaving the establishments on Charminster Road, we are working with the police to cut down on Street drinking and associated ASB this license if given will make this situation worse, particularly with the hours requested," said Cllr Anderson.

A representation from Dorset Police sets out a series of conditions the force wants in place, including CCTV, staff training and Security Industry Authority door supervisors at certain times, but it did not raise a specific objection to the application.

Ms Tuvey is seeking permission to serve alcohol from 10am to 2am, with the premises open from 10am to 2.30am.

Representing the applicant, John Wallsgrove, of licensing solicitors firm John Gaunt & Partners, wrote in response to the councillors' concerns.

He said Ms Tuvey, who owns licensed premises Camerons in Christchurch, is a "very experienced" licensee and she is used to running a late-night venue in a mixed development area.

Mr Wallsgrove said his client had agreed conditions with police and environmental health.

There was no credible evidence which would suggest the premises or its management by Ms Turvey would have an adverse impact on any of the licensing objectives, Mr Wallsgrove said.

He added: "My client is intending for the premises to operate as Thai Tapas Restaurant. They are not intending it to operate as a 'club' unlike one or two other premises in Charminster Road.

"I would also like to point out that the premises immediately opposite this premises is licensed to sell alcohol until 2am and is not regulated by such conditions."