Gay village plans for Liverpool suffer set back

Sep 25 2008

PLANS to pedestrianise part of Liverpool city centre to create a “gay quarter” could be thwarted by council recommendations that streets only be closed after 10pm.

Campaigners for the plans, backed by the Gay Business Association, say there is little point in closing Stanley Street and Eberle Street at that time because licensees will miss out on the early evening trade.

Cllr Steve Radford, who set up the GBA, said he could not understand why, following a consultation in which only three businesses in the area objected to proposals, council officers have recommended the later time.

He said this went against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of businesses in the quarter, and would keep Liverpool “years behind” Manchester, with its famous Canal Street gay village.

But council bosses insisted no final decision had yet been made, and that deciding to close the streets did not automatically give the proposals the green light.

Cllr Radford said: “It will be a waste of public money to close these streets so late at night. Most of the businesses consulted have asked why it has not already happened.

“The officers appear to have come out of this consultation and ignored the view of the majority in favour of the objections of very few people.”

Eileen Leigh, of the Lisbon on Victoria Street, said the 10pm recommendation was disappointing.

She said: “I’m in favour of the gay village but I think it needs to be at around 7pm.

“All the businesses round here which are not bars will be closed by then so we could put the tables out.”

Cllr Peter Millea, executive member for development and regeneration, said he felt the original idea of closing the streets at 6pm was too early.

He added that closing the streets was just the first step.

“I must make clear that all this does is regulate the traffic coming in and out. The bars and cafes will still have to apply for pavement licences as well.

“Hopefully, once these procedures have taken place we will be in a position where people can go out and have a drink in Stanley Street and not run the risk of getting knocked down.”