A city centre bar described as 'rowdy' and 'troublesome' by local people has hit back at its critics.
Liberte on Brunswick Street has faced criticism from those living nearby as it looks to extend its opening hours.
The venue, which recently topped a poll of bars in the UK with the best views, has a rooftop area which overlooks the city's famous Three Graces.
READ MORE: Reason behind 'mystery air raid siren' heard across parts of Merseyside
The latest plans would see the venue's main indoor area on the second floor of the building extend its opening hours from 2am until 4am every day.
The bar's rooftop area would continue to close at midnight as it does now under the proposals.
But people living in the nearby Beetham Plaza have objected to the plans and described the venue as 'rowdy and troublesome.'
One resident said: "The venue has been hosting increasingly rowdy events, including occasions when party goers have spilt out on to Brunswick Street at closing time, shouting and sometimes fighting in the road. Police have been called several times."
But Liberte has now had its say on the situation.
A spokesperson for the establishment said: "Since opening the 2nd floor bar and rooftop in 2018/19 we have held several meetings with neighbouring residents over any issues and concerns as well as keeping them updated on plans for the site.
"There has been two way communication with residents of Beetham Plaza about licence times, up and coming events and issues that may have arisen.
"We are fully aware that there needs to be a balance in the city centre between residents and hospitality/business. This is why we want to work with all our neighbours in the area.
"Liberté is split over 2 floors with the rooftop used, essentially in the spring and summer. It has also been used during the outdoor covid-19 hospitality restrictions, as outside areas where given priority to open during the rule of six guidelines in 2020.
"We have digital decibel readers, which licensing themselves set, around the venue and ask all our patrons to leave the venue as quietly as possible, with signs posted all over the site backing this up. The building has also been soundproofed as well as can be for its age, all at extra cost to us."
Liberté employs around 30 staff, part-time and full-time.
The bar added: "We are still in an unprecedented time since the beginning of covid -19, back in March 2020.
"People have had two years of limits and restrictions and only now, since the government eased restrictions earlier this year in England has the hospitality industry begun to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
"It is a well-known fact that hospitality was one of the most affected sectors. Not only on trade but also on staffing and hospitality has lost 1 in 5 staff since the pandemic outbreak.
"It has been a double whammy for our sector and now increasing our licence hours, to fall in line with many other establishments in the city centre, is a way of not just meeting the demand but also of helping to restore the sector."
Supporting Liberté's plans, city licensing consultant Karl Barry said: "The night-time economy is a major contributor to Liverpool’s overall economy that services, amongst others, tourism and as the city’s landscape inevitably shifts from retail to leisure based activity, which is something that both planners and developers will need to account for when siting and designing city centre accommodation.
"Will Liverpool, like vibrant New York, be a city that never sleeps or just one that never gets up?”
The licensing hearing will take place at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
