Should the party last?

Newcastle's Quayside has changed beyond all recognition in the past decade and the forthcoming relaxation of licensing laws seems likely to transform it even more.

The once-derelict riverside is thriving, with stag parties, hen parties and visitors from all over Europe heading for an acknowledged party town.

For many hoteliers, that's food for business. The past two years have seen an extra 1,500 hotel beds created in the city, with new hotels such as the Malmaison opening on the riverside.

In just one square mile between the Quayside and the Bigg Market, there are now 160 pubs, 125 restaurants and 16 night clubs. Between them, the venues attract about 70,000 customers each weekend - spending an estimated £500,000.

But is everybody happy? In a word, no. The Quayside Residents Association is furious at Newcastle Council's plans to use the relaxed licensing laws to promote the "party city" reputation.

Residents say this will aggravate a North-eastern culture of heavy drinking. Privately, many licensees agree.

Part of the price of a home with a splendid view across the Tyne is the less welcome sight of couples having sex in doorways, as well as men - and women - urinating in the back lanes.

And although Newcastle may mean fun for some, the city was named Britain's second most violent last year, with a Home Office report highlighting more than 500 attacks.

Labour Councillor Sally Young, who has been inundated with complaints, said: "This is not about people going out for an upmarket evening with a nice meal and a quiet drink.

"This is about people going out to get as much drink down their throats as possible. It's not an eating culture, it's a drinking culture.

Karen Morrow, a 31-year-old law lecturer, said: "I wasn't expecting a rural idyll when I came here, but I wasn't expecting all the vandalism and trouble.

"I've had my windows put through just for telling some blokes to stop urinating through my garden gate.

"They talk about it being a city of arts and culture. As far as I'm concerned, the art is how high they can pee on your wall and the culture is what grows in the mess that's left."

Rob Spence, a 40-year-old graphic designer, said: "Women urinating in your doorway is something that happens all the time."

Councillor Kevan Jones, who is behind plans to promote the "party city", admits he has little sympathy for Quayside residents who have moved to the area in recent years.

"I have to say they have chosen to live there," he said.

"I'm not saying they should be ignored, but I do believe they should recognise that they are living in the heart of the entertainment quarter of the city."

However, even local hoteliers and publicans are wary about expansion plans.

Brian MacKay, chairman of the Newcastle Pubwatch scheme, runs the Surtees hotel in Dean Street as well as the 18 Dean Street restaurant and the Quay Club, and has reaped the profits of investing in an area that was derelict in the early 1980s - but even he acknowledges the problems. MacKay praised the police for cutting out major crime in the city centre but called for action against yobs urinating in the streets and disturbing residents.

Keith Gibbon, who runs Lazi Leisure, which includes three nightclubs, 11 pubs and two restaurants, said: "I don't know why they are passing a law which they don't need. Who the hell is going to stay open for 24 hours?

"English people are different to Europeans. The culture is different. With a little modification, what the hell is wrong with the British way?"

Terry Laybourne, who runs 21 Queen Street, one of Newcastle's top restaurants, said he thought the growth in the area was marvellous, but he acknowledged that some of his customers may have been put off by the area's lager lout image.