Riviera Bar in Boscombe loses its licence after multiple incidents, including a serious safety breach discovered via CCTV footage.
BCP Council said Riviera’s staff needed training and that they needed over three months to meet standards. Dorset Police gave evidence of licensing breaches, which happened after the bar’s June 2024 reopening.
One incident happened on October 25th. Security made an argument worse with customers, and CCTV showed a worker pouring beer while a man nearby looked unconscious. The council didn’t understand the manager’s actions; she kept serving customers while the incident unfolded.
The council called it “catastrophic” management failure and said staff lacked proper training. Other customers’ reactions showed accepted bad behavior.
BCP Council lacked confidence in the new manager because she lacked experience, yet the bar often dealt with difficult customers. These customers acted as they pleased, and the council questioned why she didn’t call police after she witnessed the incident, given she wasn’t employed there earlier.
The subcommittee also lacked confidence in the license holder. They felt the supervisor did not take responsibility and concluded that fundamental changes were needed there.
BCP Council revoked Riviera Bar’s license and this decision was made based on evidence from Dorset Police. Police presented submissions on January 22nd.
The subcommittee felt the bar failed to prevent crime and to enforce public safety rules. Revoking the license was the only proper response to address issues the police brought forth.