THE PUBLIC inquiry into the £80m Neptune regeneration scheme for New Brighton has heard a local businessman tell of his foreboding if the project foundered.

Gary Laycock, whose family have invested more than £1m in the resort, told inquiry inspector Jill Kingaby: "We have 68 employees and have made a long-term commitment to New Brighton.

"If the proposals presented by Neptune are refused permission we as a company are greatly concerned about the future. We do not believe that the three businesses we currently operate will survive without this investment."

Speaking at the end of the second week of the four-week inquiry Mr Laycock, director of a bar and nightclub business in the resort, said: "Throughout the 29 years that we have operated licensed businesses in New Brighton there has been positive talk of redevelopment in the area.

"However in an area that has seen a steady decline - with the exception of a brief intervention from Merseyside Development Corporation - it has been a case of all talk and little action."

He added: "Overall we have made a commitment to New Brighton in the belief that new development was around the corner.

"We would most definitely not have spent the money on launching the Playas Lounge (£358,000) if the proposals for redevelopment of New Brighton were not going to get off the ground.

"In our opinion after a brief resurgence during the period of operation of (government-backed) 'Wallasey Regeneration', New Brighton is slowly slipping back into an area of decline."

The Neptune scheme has split the resort into two opposing camps. The anti-Neptune campaigners claim the proposals would have a devastating effect on the resort's heritage and coastline and would ruin views from the promenade out to sea. Tuesday's session at Wallasey town hall was given over to evidence relating to potential flood risk issues.