Steve H,
You're either missing my point, or I'm making it very badly.
What I'm saying is, Upper Mostyn St, The Pier, and several other areas are DEAD by 4.30pm.
Even on a weekend, all my colleagues have been closing between 4pm and 5pm.
During the day (on weekdays) even during the 'busier' hours, you see mainly locals walking dogs, or walking to the end and back as part of their daily exercise schedule.
That's all fine, but they used to obscured by hoards of other people, coach parties, well-heeled couples etc, and so the Pier and the areas I refer to were generally much busier.
As I write, I am on the Pier now, and I am the only kiosk open for the last hour or so.
I look around me and I can conduct a survey on the 11 or so people who are within 200 yards of me. Here goes.
2 old dears who are coughing and spluttering, whilst smoking, a good 50ft away from the designated smoking area.
3 Chinese (?) people sharing 2 ipads, and gleefully taking pictures of a seagull.
1 Man of about 22 stone in weight, who is more tattoos than human, wearing a 'Tap Out' vest and flip flops. He is more concerned about his 2 screaming kids, and ignoring his pestering wife, (easy when you have your earphones in, as he does)
If only he would stop his kids from playing with my outside merchandise, and probably nicking it for all EITHER of us know.
'Hey Rambo.... do you mind....' Forget it Fester, he can't hear you.
2 Eastern European girls, who look great, but I can't understand a word they are saying. Stilettos are not the most appropriate footwear on a Victorian Pier.
1 middle aged lady, who has just popped in to my kiosk to ask where the toilets are.
1, Chap on a motability scooter who looks like he died several years ago, but no one bothered to tell him. They have propped him up 'El Cid' like, charged him up and sent him off for the day.
A weather-beaten Fisherman, hauling off a trolley full off tackle.
A miserable looking Pier employee, realising that they have FIVE more hours of monotony to endure, before they can 'clock off'
That's it, survey complete.
I'm off to Upper Mostyn St to have a beer.... I might pop into The Snooze, .........where I can be sure of remaining unmolested by undesirables! (unless of course Born to Run tries to come in)