Police said a bid for a new bar in a Lake District town is a serious concern.
Bowness Bay Investments Ltd wants to convert part of the Grade II-listed Laurel Cottage guest house on St Martin’s Square in Bowness into a bar.
But Cumbria police has raised concerns. It has told Lake District National Park Authority, which will make the final decision: “In the last five to 10 years this small town has seen significant fast growth in the number of licensed premises in the form of bars and other licensed premises.
“Not by coincidence there has been a significant increase in the amount of anti-social behaviour reports and violent crime.
“In 2021 the small number of police officers at Windermere police station dealt with 268 violent crime and public order offences.
“By 2023 this had grown to 334 and analysis of data has demonstrated that a high proportion of these violent assaults and public order offences have occurred within the licensed premises of Bowness or related to persons who had been patrons immediately before.
“This is placing huge strain on limited local policing resources who are dealing with an ever-increasing demand.”
Police said there was no reference to safety and security features, the presence and citing of CCTV or external lighting in the application.
They urged the applicant to contact the police to meet and understand the wider context in the area and its expectations in terms of the high
standard of premises management.
It added: “I do not wish to provide a disproportionate response to this application, but it is difficult to consider the full impact this bar will have without knowing its capacity inside and out and other public safety considerations.”
The building dates back to the 17th or 18th century and was once a school.
The application said the building was currently not in use and is in need of investment to secure its future preservation.
The application added: “The proposed establishment will be located within a vibrant and thriving part of Bowness centre/tourist area and will complement existing local businesses including shops, hotels/guest houses, café/restaurants, bars and pubs in the immediate locality.
“The offering proposed will be different to other existing bars in the locality with a more ‘traditional’ feel serving local and craft beers.”
