PLANS to bring a bar back into use as a nightclub two years after the venue lost its premises licence have been opposed by police.

New business Ratio Bars Limited is seeking permission to sell alcohol nightly between 9pm and 5am from the site in The Triangle, Bournemouth, which was formerly known as Xchange.

Xchange had its alcohol licence removed by BCP Council’s licensing sub-committee in 2020 following a request for review from Dorset Police.

The premises licence application for Ratio Bar is due to go before members of the sub-committee on Wednesday, December 21.

A representation from Dorset Police by Sergeant Gareth Gosling, of the drug and alcohol reduction team, said: “The building was previously operated as Xchange bar and was subject to an application for review brought by Dorset Police on the grounds that, over a sustained period of time, significant crime and disorder had taken place at the premises, resulting in serious injuries being sustained and significant levels of risk associated with drug use and sexual assaults being associated with the premises.

“Whilst we accept that there is a new business associated with the building, the connections that remain between Xchange and the new business continue to cause us concern that we will experience levels of crime and disorder previously associated with the building.”

An objection has also been submitted by BCP Council’s environmental health team.

Senior officer Andrew Hill said this was based on the view that the proposal would undermine the ‘prevention of nuisance’ licensing objective.

He said the premises was subject to a number of interventions when it was previously in use, largely in relation to noise complaints from residents above the venue.

Alongside the request to sell alcohol, Ratio Bars Limited is seeking permission to play live music, recorded music and performances of dance.

Providing a summary of the premises, the applicant said: “The proposed premises is a night club set over the ground floor. The toilets and storage are located on the first floor.

The premises will be fully refurbished with a bar, seating area and dancefloor on the ground floor.”