Booming night life brings fear to residents.

Byline: KIRSTI ADAIR 

A BOOMING bar culture in West Wirral has left residents claiming they are afraid to go out at night because of drunken revellers roaming the streets.

As more wine bars apply for late licences,Hoylake residents have organised a petition calling for a halt to the disruption.

Steve Duffy,52, who has lived in Hoylake for two years, said:``The noise and trouble have been making people ill. Residents cannot sleep. They are intimidated and are having their property vandalised.

``I know people who will not walk down the street because of it.''

Secretary of Meols Drive Residents'Association Jo Wood said: ``In the last six months the problems have got worse.

``At weekends there are drunks all over the road completely off their heads at around 2amand for people living near Market Street the noise is unbearable. Bars are applying for late licences to allow drinking until midnight or 1am. This will only exacerbate it.

``You can't blame people for having a night out,but it is not fair on the residents. A lot of elderly people who moved here for the quiet village now find themselves living in a nightspot.

``Hoylake cannot support this nightlife.''

One 70-year-old, whodidn't want to be named, said:``I will not go out in the evening at all. It can be quite terrifying with all the people hanging around shouting and being anti-social.''

Hoylake,once a retirement backwater,now has a reputation as a cool evening destination with the opening of several wine bars.

The upsurge dates from last year's announcement that the Open Golf Championship was to revisit the town in 2006, the first time since 1967.

Ed Atkinson, who owns Eskimo Bar and has already applied for a late licence, said:``People have to move with the times. Hoylake is no longer a little village. It is a sprawling residential area which will host a major event.''

Neighbourhood Inspector Jon Smith said: ``We are working together with local residents, the local authority and licensees to address the issue of disorderly behaviour in Hoylake and we are taking steps to solve the problem.

``We are currently awaiting the outcome of a proposal to the local council to make Hoylake an alcohol free zone which would mean that no alcohol is allowed to be drunk on the streets.

``We are also raising concerns about late licences in the town and we have lodged formal objections about a number of bars wanting to extend their licences.

``It is well known that consuming large amounts of alcohol can lead to disorderly behaviour and we are working together with licensees to curb the level of drunkenness and rowdy behaviour that can result from drinking too much.''

CAPTION(S):

Fighting to curb late-night drinking -Jo Wood, with Steve Duffy,Cllr Gerry Ellis and John Clegg; Picture: TONY KENWRIGHT