An empty property in Merseyside is believed to have caused huge issues during the 1960s, according to a local historian.
The house located on Back Bolton Street in St Helens was nicknamed the "House of Shame" by newspapers in the height of its notoriety due to a number of issues, reports the Liverpool Echo.
A major sticking point for local residents was the foul smell descending from the property, which did not have a toilet. A "makeshift" toilet was made in one of the rooms - providing a legitimate explanation for their grievances.
Although no one officially lived in the house, a "mysterious tenant" is thought to have paid rent.
Neighbours usually complained about "laughing, giggling and bad language" coming from the building, with some saying "court couples" were frequently observed entering and leaving the "House of Shame".
According to local historian Stephen Wainwright, in May 18 1965, the St Helens Newspaper published: "House of Shame – Courting Couples Use Its Rooms at Night"
"Residents of Back Bolton Street have begun a campaign to rid the neighbourhood of a “house of shame” which has been a blot for more than two years. Their first step will be to write to the Premier, Mr. Harold Wilson. Since the house went empty in 1963 it has been the home for unofficial lodgers.
"Leader of the campaign, housewife Doreen McCarthy, of number 17, quoted several instances.
- Courting couples spending the night there.
- Quantities of stolen wire being stored there. Often residents claim police have called at the house to make arrests.
- Laughing, giggling and bad language which goes on until the early hours of the morning.
"But the main thing that has aroused the anger of these normally placid housewives is the SMELL. The house is in a state of disrepair and has no toilet. But the “lodgers” have converted one of the bedrooms for this use.
"Repeated protests have been made to both the Sanitary Department and the police, but, allege the residents, no action has been taken. Now they have decided to appeal to Mr. Harold Wilson.
"Said 43-years-old Peggy Murphy, of number 25: “It is a disgraceful situation. You can hear men and women coming along the street at one and two o’clock in the morning and going into the house. It sets a shocking example for the children of the street, who are naturally curious.”
"Twenty-six-years-old Mrs. McCarthy, who lives right next to the house, had this to say to the Newspaper:
“We have tried hard to keep our houses in good repair and respectable, but when we have this in our midst, it gives us no hope. She continued: “My husband works turns and is unable to stay up to wait for these people. In the early hours of the morning you can hear them moving about and laughing.
“The house attracts children during the day, as all empty houses do. It's most unhealthy, and the smell is indescribable. We once had a young health inspector down here, but he said the place was ‘healthy’.”
"Mrs. Valerie Sharrocks from number 21 echoed her sentiments: “We feel that by writing to Harold Wilson we might get something done. We have complained many times to the local authority, but they just claim they are not legally responsible.”
Mr N Birch, the Chief Public Health Inspector, told the paper, his department was fully aware of the problem but was faced with a dilemma. Staff had contacted the agent who told them the house was still being rented by the man who left the house two years ago.
Mr Birch added, however, the agent had promised him that as soon as a suitable contractor could be found, alterations would be made to prevent people from getting into the house."
Stephen Wainwright's book The Hidden History Of St Helens is available from St Helens Book Stop at 11 Bridge Street, St Helens, and online via eBay here.
