Hoylake bar owners speak out over licensing restrictions

Nov 5 2008 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

Hoylake bar owners speak out over licensing restrictions

HOYLAKE’S bar owners say they are “responsible and accountable” businessmen who have invested in the future of the town, but are becoming frustrated by licensing restrictions.

La Bodega director, Gary Laycock, Ed Atkinson, owner of Eskimo, and Bar One co-owners Robert Carter and Adam Bale say they have created employment and developed a night-time economy, in response to Wirral Council encouragement during the run-up to the 2006 British Open, but are now being treated differently to every other area of the peninsula.

Ed Atkinson, who transformed a shop that had sat vacant for five years into Eskimo, told the News: “Having attracted a night-time economy, they are now completely desecrating it and pulling people out of Hoylake by giving late licences elsewhere.”

Gary Laycock added: “Hoylake is treated differently to every other town in Wirral; there seems to be one rule for Wirral licensed premises and one rule for Hoylake.

“Why aren’t premises in Hoylake allowed to open past midnight?”

The bar owners say they are asked to open later “at least 50 times a night” by customers, have spent tens of thousands of pounds on unsuccessful licensing applications and even persuaded bus company Arriva to lay on a late service to ensure patrons return home safely.

Robert Carter and Adam Bale will not apply for a 4am licence again and argue unhappy residents should pay more attention to the town’s off licences and takeaways as a source of disorder and litter.

Gary Laycock added: “I think the residents need to be aware that, as operators, we are responsible and accountable.

“If there is crime and disorder in the bars, we’d be the first to put our hands up to deal with it.

“If there is a situation where there are arrests within the premises or drug finds, or anything, we’ll be accountable.

Wirral Council were given the opportunity to comment but failed to do so.