Security boss Michael Herlihy on tackling night-time Colchester's bad reputation (From Gazette)

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Security boss Michael Herlihy on tackling night-time Colchester's bad reputation

6:10pm Wednesday 13th October 2010 in News

Binge drinking – is it worse in Colchester than any other town?

I RUN one of the biggest security companies in this part of Essex – providing door staff for some of the major nightspots – so I see a side of Colchester life which some might prefer not to.

But I’m proud of this town. I think it’s a great place to live, so why are people so down on Colchester?

Here’s an example.

When we were in the news over the summer for applying to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Independent newspaper called it “audacious” to compare ourselves to the pyramids or Stonehenge.

They weren’t as rude as the Guardian, who said our town centre at night looked like a “documentary on Britain’s Binge Drinking Hell”. I don’t think that’s anything like fair.

I know what you’re thinking. I shouldn’t read the Guardian.

But it’s not just them. People here call Queen Street “Kebab Alley”, as if it’s some sort of no-go area.

It has its problems, but I think that’s an unfair tag. In fact, I’m working with Osman Rasih, who owns the Silk Road Lounge Bar, to revitalise that part of town. We’re approaching every business along there to offer our services – working together to make it a safer, cleaner and a nicer place to be at night.

The easy option would be to ignore it, or to reduce licensing hours. But if you’re proud of your town and want it to be at its best, you’ve got to be practical.

If you cut licensing hours, you don’t get rid of the problems, you just bring them forward an hour or two.

The night-time economy is an important part of life here – and a vital part of any local economy.

If we cut opening hours or try to shut places down, we deprive the people who work there of their livelihoods.

Some of the businesses along here struggle as it is – and this is a time when we all want to see the economy growing. That’s why Osman and I are working on this taskforce.

We know the area’s not perfect, but we don’t think it deserves its current reputation – and we believe we can turn it around. The local police have given us their blessing.

In fact, this all came about after a meeting with them to discuss the licensing hours at the Silk Road. The police and the crime reduction partnership want to reduce drinking-up times, and call this a “stress area”.

Antisocial behaviour is a serious thing, and any incident which disturbs people living nearby – in Priory Street, for example – is one too many.

But I don’t believe Queen Street is anything like busy enough to justify the “stress area” tag. I think it’s another example of us talking the town down.

So, this is my manifesto, if you like. Most town centres see a bit of noise and rowdiness at night. I don’t think ours is any different.

In other words, I don’t think it’s better or worse. But it’s not perfect, and together we can do something about it. My role is to work professionally with these local businesses and their customers, and have my trained, licensed team on the streets later – until 4.30am – that’s what’s needed.

The businesses need to play their part by working with us to make sure everybody plays the game – alerting us to any potential problems before they have a chance to escalate.

My employees are trained in customer service and conflict management – we know how to bring situations to a halt with the minimum of hassle for all involved.

And everybody else? Well, being proud of where you live means taking responsibility – and that means everyone who eats or drinks in town at night thinking about their actions.

In New York in the Nineties, they cracked down on minor problems like graffiti and saw a significant drop in overall crime.

So let’s work together and recognise this is a great place to live. It’s still a fairly small town, with a real sense of community.

Let’s acknowledge when it’s not perfect, and pledge to make it better. But let’s believe in the place, too.

The oldest town in England? Let’s make it the envy of England.

Comments(30)

ALMONDS says...
7:05pm Wed 13 Oct 10

Why does this article not mention St Botolphs Street. Kebab alley is not just Queen Street. The Slik Road Bar mentioned in this article is at number 4 St Botolphs Street! Mr Herlihy does not know what he is talking about Colchester is not a small town it is one of the largest towns in Essex. It is not just Queen Street and St Botolphs Street that is a no go area in the evening, the High Street is a no go area in the evening too! Why has the Gazette chosen to print this story a second time?