Devil's Hole.

And officials of Harrington Sound Workmen's Club fear it may block their plans to re-open later in the year.

The news that the club will try for a liquor licence once refurbishment work is completed was revealed during the continuing hearing into an application by Hillview Entertainment for a licence to sell beer and wines.

Hillview, presently a video rental and general store on Devil's Hole Hill, is facing objections from a large number of Devil's Hole residents.

Last week the liquor licensing panel, heard objections from two residents, the secretary of the Workmen's Club, the president of a nearby grocery and the St.

Phillip AME Church.

All fear the licensing of the club will lead to alcohol-related problems in the Devil's Hole area.

At a previous hearing the licensing panel were told that the situation in Devil's Hole had improved over the last decade, since the club closed.

But they heard there were still problems of young and old people hanging around drinking behind the club and on the wall overlooking the sea.

Mr. Anthony Joseph Aguiar, president and major shareholder of Harrington Hundred Grocery which, on South Shore Road, is the nearest liquor outlet to Hillview.

Mr. Aguia said: "When I arrived in 1984 there was a problem of people in and around the property drinking in public and littering. I took steps to clean up the problems which took nothing less than three years.'' Over the last nine years he said that he removed drinks that were the main target of particularly young drinkers from his shelves. These included miniature bottles of spirits and potent drinks like Night Train and Red Rooster. He also refused to sell Cisco.

Under cross-examination from Hillview's lawyer, Mr. Richard Hector, Mr. Aguiar said his objections were not solely on business grounds.

He said: "Many area residents feel that the number of outlets is adequate and they do not want another business because of the problems it will sell. I feel the problems in the area have improved and I cannot stand by and let it regress.'' Workmens' Club secretary Mr. Maxwell Trott told Mr. Hector that public drinking has become less of a problem in recent years.

But Mr. Trott said: "The club has been blamed for people drinking in the streets. If we sold any liquor it was for consumption on the premises.'' He revealed the club will be applying for a liquor licence in the near future, which came as a shock to residents who believed it was to re-open as a community centre for young people.

St. Phillip's Church Pastor the Rev. Malcolm Eve said he was against any liquor licence. He said he had seen problems in the area recently involving young people.

Mr. Hector said: "You are against licences in any form anywhere in Bermuda? Have you ever thought about making representations to Gosling's or Lightbourne's?'' Manager of Hillview Mr. Frank DaPonte had been asked by Mr. Hector to watch out for people drinking in the area. Mr. DaPonte said that he had seen just two individuals in a fortnight.

Chief Insp. Winston Esdaille said that despite the applicants and the building being suitable for the sale of liquor, Police would object because of the overwhelming numbers of residents against the licence and concerns over public order.

Lawyer for Harrington Hundreds, Mr. Mark Ray pointed out that it was a new licence unlike the Enterprise Grocery, which had its refusal overturned in Supreme Court. He stressed that there was a history of trouble in the area.

The tribunal was adjourned until May 13.