The trendy neighbourhood at a 'tipping point'

It’s become one of the go-to places in Salford to hangout. Monton Road’s mix of cool cafes and lively bars have made the area a destination in the city.

The high street is regularly buzzing with residents and shoppers enjoying the local offering - but beneath the surface trouble is brewing.

Residents say Monton has changed in the last few years, as more people flock to the area for nights out.

They say noise levels are creeping up, especially on weekends, and drunken antics in the early hours of the morning are becoming more frequent.

Tensions exploded at a public meeting at Salford council in December, when the Garden Bar and Restaurant on Monton Road was given permission to stay open until 2.30am on New Year's Eve, and asked to extend its opening hours each night until 1.30am.

Nearly 100 locals objected to the move and said the community was ‘at risk’ from a growing number of problems connected with the local nightlife scene.

Letters from residents claimed that neighbours are ‘suffering’ from rising levels of noise and anti-social behaviour along the road, including ‘fighting, shouting, vomiting and urinating in the street.’

Others said that ‘noise from Monton Road has increased dramatically,’ and that ‘the antisocial behavior of patrons affects those living nearby on a daily basis.’

The Garden Bar dropped its request for a 1.30am closing time each night, but the issue sparked questions about what type of place Monton Road wants to be.

Salford council’s plan for the future of the city’s neighbourhoods states that Monton is at ‘tipping point’ after seeing a ‘marked increase in the number of food and drink’ outlets opening.

Residents in Monton told the Manchester Evening News (M.E.N) that noise is an issue for some.

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