The closure of the first pub in Wales to have its licence revoked after night-time violence and drug abuse has come as a huge relief to neighbours. They say the Tredegar House pub in Adamsdown, Cardiff, has been the source of years of problems.
People living nearby talk about vandalism, fights and noise which meant the neighbourhood became a no-go area after dark for many living there.
Since the closure, neighbours say the area is "coming alive" again.
One woman, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told the BBC Wales news website: "It was a living hell".
"I've been living here for over six years and it has been a constant source of problems," she said.
"Over the years I've tried to liaise with the various landlords at the pub who have come and gone but nothing has ever been done.
 |  Twice I've had to wash blood off the front of my house |
"It was dreadful - there would be fighting in the street from people who had been drinking in the pub.
"Twice I've had to wash blood off the front of my house.
"People would urinate through my letter box - every morning I would be cleaning the floor by my front door.
"Cars were vandalised regularly - windows were smashed, aerials pulled off, tyres slashed.
"A couple of times you would see people coming out of the pub with sticks and they would walk down the road smashing the windows of every car they passed.
'Drinking and shouting'
"People living here were just too scared to go out after dark. They would be in with the doors locked and wouldn't come out.
"There was constant late-night noise especially because they would regularly hold stop-ins until two or three in the morning.
"The people who used to go to the pub would be standing outside drinking and shouting and it was really awful."
After years of trouble, she complained to the police and rallied neighbours for support which resulted in enough evidence being compiled.
"Since it first closed in September it has been so different here," she said.
"It is quiet and we can live in peace. Our cars are not being targeted constantly and for the first time since living here, I'm finally getting to know my neighbours because people are coming out into the street and aren't scared anymore.
"There seems to be a real community spirit starting to form at long last.
"There are still some problems around here but it is heaven compared to what it has been," she added.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
