Durham city centre is “saturated with drinking” because licencing policies allow “more and more venues to open”, the local MP has claimed.
It’s become normal for bars to stay open until 2am.
And the visitors to the city are put off by “rowdy, noisy and often intimidating behaviour” of binge drinkers - even in the afternoon.
Roberta Blackman-Woods, MP for the City of Durham, took the concerns of local business leaders and residents to the House of Commons.
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She said: “The licensing policy of the county council needs to be massively changed.”
And she warned: “What this all adds up to is a small, historic city, with a UNESCO world heritage site right at its centre, that has far too many licensed premises.”
Responding to the debate, Durham County Council said it was currently in the process of reviewing its licensing policy.
Dr Blackman-Woods said bars and clubs were concentrated in two parts of the city centre, North Road and Walkergate, an area that covers less than half a square kilometre.
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There are 11 establishments open until 2am, two open until to 2.30am and four which open until 1 =am.
As a result, crime rates in the area are higher than in the rest of the city.
Police statistics showed that offences linked to alcohol consumption, including public order offences, anti-social behaviour and violence, are clustered in the same area as the bars.
And the bars damage the quality of life for local residents, she said.
“The local authority’s current policy has simply failed to uphold public safety.
“In fact, the number of people leaving Walkergate and trying to get home creates such a problem that Durham County Council now closes a city centre street to traffic between 9pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights. That street is largely residential.
“How can that be acceptable for people who live or, heaven forbid, are trying to sleep in properties on that street?”
She added: “As Durham is a small city, many people make their way home on foot.
"The centre is surrounded by residential areas in all directions, so whichever direction in which people travel, there is disruption and noise for residents.”
One resident had told her he slept in the bathroom - as this allowed him to get away from the noise.
But other people are simply moving out of the city centre, which in the long term will be “a disaster for the city”, she said.
Durham County Council said the closure of a city centre street was not introduced for the reason Dr Blackman-Woods suggested.
It was brought in to alleviate concerns from residents and the emergency services over vehicle congestion and noise outside properties.
The chamber of trade had warned the situation was having a “demonstrably negative impact” on businesses and jobs in the city centre, she added.
And she pointed out that the chamber had submitted a paper to the council warning that “aggressive, rowdy, noisy and often intimidating behaviour of afternoon binge drinkers in Durham is especially off-putting to vulnerable and younger people, parents ... and children, or visitors to the city who are unprepared for the ‘wild west’ environment.”
Ian Thompson, corporate director of regeneration and local services at Durham County Council, said: “We are very proud of our great city which with its array of attractions and businesses, including a thriving night-time economy, is a truly great place to live, work and visit for people of all ages.
“Ensuring our city is a safe and welcoming environment is of paramount importance to us and we work closely with our partners through the Durham City Safety Group to achieve this.
"Our award-winning Best Bar None scheme, delivered in partnership with Durham Constabulary and licensed premises, has contributed to us having lower levels of alcohol related incidents in comparison to other cities.
“Our licensing policy seeks to balances the legitimate needs of businesses in the county and demand for leisure and cultural activities, alongside the need to protect those who could be adversely affected by licensable activities.
“We are currently in the process of reviewing this policy and recently completed public consultation, with all responses including that of Ms Blackman-Woods now receiving careful consideration.”
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