Letter from LFC to Anfield residents read for the first time

Liverpool FC told residents on Thursday they want to keep a portion of Anfield Road permanently shut following the completion of the Anfield Road stand extension, move the respite period when no events take place in the football off-season and seek more flexibility with events at the ground. The ECHO went to Anfield to ask locals what they thought.

Sue Humphreys has lived on Alroy Road, directly next to the ground, her entire life. She said: “I don't think anybody who doesn't actually live here realises the impact it has on the houses and family life.”

The letter delivered to residents by the club told them about the opening of the consultation period between the club and its neighbours, but while some read the letter for the first time in front of the ECHO, many voiced concerns about the club potentially “breaking its promise” to reopen Anfield Road on completion of the Anfield Road stand extension.

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Sitting in the living room of the home her mum and grandmother owned before her, Sue told the ECHO: “I don't know why they're saying they're just keeping that little bit [of Anfield Road] closed.

“They may as well close the whole bloody lot because you can't go anywhere. I’m cross about that. I mean, they told us at the beginning when they started the consultations, that was one of the major things that people spoke about, having that road reopened, and they said ‘oh, yes, it will be reopened’.”

The club confirmed the respite period, which covers 31 days and means that no event - sporting or entertainment can take place at the stadium in that time, will remain in place but wants to consult with the community about moving it from the whole month of July to mid-July to mid-August. The proposals come after the club revealed it has the opportunity to bring another “major global act” to Anfield, but that opportunity only exists in early July next year.

Liverpool are limited to six live events outside of the football calendar each year, as per an agreement with Liverpool City Council, with the club’s positioning in a heavily residential area meaning that consideration has to be taken for residents who already see major traffic and footfall on home matchdays.

Despite disruption to residents when football matches and live events take place, Lauren Nesbitt, whose mum lives on Alroy Road, explained how the introduction of another major concert to the area is a good thing. She said: “My mum doesn’t hear anything, she has never complained about the noise. You can’t really hear anything, once the crowds are gone it’s quiet. The wildest was probably the Taylor Swift concert but that was because it was people from all around the world and they all came here, that was the wildest.

“It’s the hustle and bustle, when you have the match and concerts on it can be gorgeous. Everyone’s enjoying themselves and it’s positive. It used to be rough around here but now it’s nice and happy. This is what you want more than anything else, it’s turned into quite a nice area.”

Iain King, 71, told the ECHO: “We’ve been here since 2013. To be truthful, the concerts aren’t bad at all, you get things like that everywhere and it allows people to enjoy themselves. They come, they go, and there’s no problem.

“You have to think of the area, they come and bring their money here. Without them half the shops wouldn’t be here, the pubs, the lot.”

Another resident raised concerns about the proposal to permanently close a portion of Anfield Road. The mum, who asked not to be named, said: "The potential closure of Anfield Road after they said they wouldn't close Anfield Road. I mean, it just seems a lot to be honest.

"If you're coming from one side of the stadium you have to go all the way around the stadium because Anfield Road is shut to get to our own home [on Alroy Road]. It never used to be like this."

The section in question runs alongside the stadium and has been closed for over three years due to construction works, with the club having identified a number of concerns in regards to the accessibility of the road should it be re-opened. The club believes the area will benefit from it remaining pedestrianised.

Liverpool Football Club was approached for comment.