MP Stephen Hesford slams police and council over Hoylake bars decision

Oct 8 2008 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

WIRRAL West MP Stephen Hesford has slammed police and council for refusing to pass an order preventing any further development of Hoylake’s night-time economy.

Mr Hesford told the News he believes both parties are “completely wrong to suggest it’s not needed”.

And he added: “I don’t want Hoylake to be turned into downtown Birkenhead”.

Last week a petition boasting 200 signatures was presented to licensing committee councillors, pleading with them to give the green light to a cumulative impact order.

The order would prevent any more wine bars or clubs opening in the town and was said to be desperately needed by local people, who claim the area’s character has already been “adversely affected”.

The Labour MP said: “I don’t want Hoylake to be turned into downtown Birkenhead.

“If people want late night drinking and clubs, they can go to Birkenhead because that isn’t what Hoylake is about.”

But Adam Coburn, owner of Hoylake bar Jack Rabbit Slims, said: “We literally only open on Friday and Saturday and are closed every other night because there’s nothing happening.

“It’s the same with the other bars.”

In a letter to Wirral Council, Merseyside Police Wirral area commander, Chief Superintendent John Ward, said: “Hoylake has the second lowest violence and anti-social behaviour figures, behind the Heswall area.”

Mr Hesford responded: “Statistically that’s right.”

However, he called Ch Supt Ward’s response an “artificial description” as many of the problems residents say they encounter go unreported.

Mr Hesford added: “I will fight tooth and nail to make sure Hoylake remains the decent and nice place it always has been and always should be.”

Wirral Council and Merseyside Police declined to comment.