PLANS for a levy on pubs to pay for extra policing in town centres have been met with mixed feelings by licensees in Bournemouth.

John Denham, former Home Office minister, wants a levy of between 10 and 15p on each visitor to a pub.

This would be based on the pub's rateable value or the capacity of the venue.

The charge would be passed on to customers through an increase in the price of drinks.

Mr Denham, chairman of the House of Commons' home affairs committee, believes the new charge is needed to help meet the cost of policing town centres - now on average £1 million a year per town.

However, critics say that the proposals could lead to an increase in people drinking in the street.

Michael Green, president of Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association Michael Green and its spokesman on licensing, slammed the plans.

"The licensing trade is going to be faced with greater taxation when the new licensing bill comes in July next year," he said.

"There's no doubt about it that it will mean more home drinking and this is the problem that causes the late night chaos," he said.

James Robertson, licensee of the Bakers Arms, Commercial Road, Bournemouth, said: "It will probably stop people from going to pubs and it might lead to more people drinking in the house."

Mike Parker, publican of Daisy O'Briens in Old Christchurch Road, said: "Provided it's based on numbers of people who can get into the pub that's fine."

Dorset Police assistant chief constable Adrian Whiting said: "While I am supportive of the suggestion of additional resources, it is a matter for government how the funding of these extra resources would be achieved."

First published: October 5