PREPARATIONS for The Open's return to Hoylake continue and businesses in the area are being invited to show their support by displaying a small welcome sticker for visitors to the town and regular customers.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected in the area on each day of the golf tournament, which is taking place at Royal Liverpool Golf Club from July 16-23.

The welcome stickers were announced at a special meeting earlier this month with representatives from Wirral Council’s licensing team and the managers of licensed venues in Hoylake and West Kirby.

Members of the council's Open delivery team will be distributing the stickers to venues in the area in the coming weeks.

Businesses can also collect one of the free stickers from the drop-in office at Hoylake golf course: Hoylake Municipal Golf Club, Carr Lane, Hoylake.

Opening times for the drop-in centre are: Monday to Friday from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4.30pm

Wirral Globe: Preparations are well underway at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake ahead of The Open in July Preparations are well underway at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake ahead of The Open in July (Image: Jamie Bowman)

Termporary traffic measures that aim to cut congestion and ease traffic flow in Hoylake when The Open takes place were also confirmed recently. 

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected in the town on each day of the golf tournament, which is taking place at Royal Liverpool Golf Club from July 16-23.

The council is writing to hundreds of local homes and businesses surrounding the golf club area to advise them of these temporary traffic arrangements.

Part of the measures being put in place will be temporary traffic regulation orders that will close some roads to traffic and make others one-way for the duration of the event.

While parking will be prohibited or restricted in some of the surrounding roads the short-stay parking bays on Market Street will be retained.

Carr Lane car park will be closed temporarily and there will be no access to North Parade from The Kings Gap

Wirral Globe: A view of the Claret Jug during The Open Media Day at Royal Liverpool Golf ClubA view of the Claret Jug during The Open Media Day at Royal Liverpool Golf Club (Image: PA)

A council statement read: "The temporary traffic restrictions will operate during the week of the event but some will need to be introduced in advance and continue for a short while after to facilitate event management.

"All traffic arrangements have been agreed in consultation with Merseyside Police and other emergency services.

"In addition to the temporary arrangements, essential services will have access to the area and council officers are liaising with the police, health and care providers, pharmacists and other essential service providers, to ensure arrangements are in place to maintain access as required.

"Access will also be provided for tradespeople, however, they will not be able to park on the road in some areas."

Trains will terminate at Hoylake station and a rail replacement bus will continue the route to West Kirby. This will be accessible for people with a disability.

All visitors are encouraged to use public transport where possible. Information on train times will be posted nearer to the time on the Merseyrail website.

Staff are based in the council’s Drop-In Office based at Hoylake Municipal Golf Club, Carr Lane, Hoylake, CH47 4BG to provide detailed information to residents on general traffic managements and deal with any specific enquiries.