Locals fight 24/7 booze licence on Otley Run route
It is feared that if a Nisa Local shop in Headingley, close to the notorious Otley Run, is allowed to sell alcohol after midnight it would lead to rowdy student parties and "friction" between families and the area's younger residents.
However, the shop said there is "no evidence" which links anti-social drinking to the premises, according to Leeds Council.
Nisa was told it would receive a decision within five days, following a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall on 13 May.
The Otley Run is a 19-stop pub crawl finishing in the city centre which draws thousands of revellers every weekend, including many students.
However, last month a man injured two women with a crossbow along the Headingley drinking route, raising questions about the event's safety.
The man, 38-year-old Owen Lawrence, was arrested and taken to hospital but later died from a self-inflicted injury.
Eight letters of objection have been received by the council about the Nisa store's application to extend its licencing laws, alongside concerns raised by West Yorkshire Police, ward councillors and public health officials, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The shop has maintained the 24/7 licence would not add to anti-social behaviour on the pub crawl, and a list of proposed conditions, if granted, included a 'check 25' policy, CCTV and staff training.
Nonetheless, the council's licensing officer, Susan Duckworth, remains unconvinced: "I'm concerned that if this premises was allowed to sell alcohol after midnight, that would become an emerging problem."
Mrs Duckworth also pointed out that more families had been moving to Headingley, with more student accommodation opening up in the city centre, exacerbating her concerns over any increased access to alcohol.
Nisa's existing premises licence allows alcohol sales between 05:00 and 00:00.
Residents previously told the BBC they hoped the Otley Run might become a "recognised" event to better protect those taking part.
Acknowledging the burgeoning popularity of the event, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley Alex Sobel said: "We need to look at the laws we have and tightening them, bringing more control to the Otley Run."
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
99 object to restaurant asking for alcohol licence
Shop plans to sell alcohol on pub crawl route
Leeds City Council
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Dog attack leaves woman with 'significant' injuries
A woman has been taken to hospital with "significant" injuries after being attacked by two dogs in a house. West Yorkshire Police were called to a property on North Carr, in Dalton, Huddersfield, just before 22:00 BST on Sunday. The dogs, believed to be an English bulldog and a Presa Canario, were contained inside and later put down. The woman, aged in her 60s, suffered injuries to her arm that are not believed to be life-threatening and investigations are ongoing, the force added. Presa Canarios are a Spanish breed of mastiff that are often kept as farm guard dogs in the Canary Islands. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More stories like this Dog attacks creating unprecedented demand - police Woman facing jail after her bulldog bit postman Three children injured in dog attack Related internet links West Yorkshire Police
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man threw petrol bomb at police outside Aldi
A man who threw a petrol bomb at police before pointing an imitation firearm towards them has been found guilty of attempting to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life. David Wiatrowski, 36, used a hammer to smash the windows of an Aldi store in Boston, Lincolnshire, on New Year's Day, before confronting officers who arrived to arrest him. Wiatrowski, of Bradford Road, Boston, previously admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, affray and criminal damage at a hearing in February. He was convicted by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court on Wednesday following a three-day trial and is due to be sentenced on 2 October. Lincolnshire Police said that at the time of the incident, Wiatrowski had what appeared to be a firearm in a holster on his right hip. He shouted to officers to get back in their vehicle as he lit a rag in a bottle and threw it towards them, before making a motion with the gun as if he were cocking it. Wiatrowski fled, but was arrested on 10 January after a member of the public responded to an appeal. According to police, Wiatrowski had no apparent motive for his actions, but told officers he was bored with life and wanted to make a Molotov cocktail – a type of petrol bomb. Officers found CCTV footage of him attempting to fill a drinking bottle with petrol as part of his plan. When questioned about why he had thrown the petrol bomb and pointed the gun, he said he wanted to scare the officers, "to think they were going to die". He also told police he had no intention of entering the store, on Queen Street, after smashing the windows. Det Insp Melissa Rooke said: "This was a calculated and entirely senseless act, carried out with blatant disregard for the impact it would have. "It's no surprise that those who responded to this incident were profoundly affected by what they encountered. Our officers faced an individual whose clear objective was to instil fear and potentially inflict serious harm." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Man who wielded knife in police station is jailed Man wanted by police for six years finally sentenced Police to target anti-social behaviour hotspots Related internet links HM Courts Service
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Yahoo
Murder investigation after girl, 3, found dead
A murder investigation has been launched after a three-year-old girl was found dead in a house in Leeds. West Yorkshire Police said they received a report of concern for safety of a young child on Wednesday at about 11:05 BST. Officers attended an address on Austhorpe Court in Colton and the girl's body was found inside. A woman at the property was taken to hospital and has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson said: "We are treating this as an isolated incident and are not seeking anyone else in connection with it. "I understand that such a tragic incident as this will cause shockwaves in the local community and that there will be speculation about what has happened." Police asked anyone with information to get in touch. Neighbours living on the quiet cul-de-sac near the Colton Retail Park told of their shock following the girl's death. Residents said emergency services had been called to their street on Wednesday, but many were now learning what had happened. Donald Anderson, who has lived on Austhorpe Court for 15 years, said he was "completely flabbergasted". "It's a quiet little street," added the 94-year-old retired design draughtsman. "We never have problems like that." Mr Anderson recalled seeing the girl pushing a toy walker along the street. Her death was "an awful situation," he said. Another couple of retirement age living on Austhorpe Court said the youngster would stroke their dog if they passed each other. "It's awful," one of them said of the news. The house where the girl was found remained under police guard on Thursday. A direct neighbour, Margaret, said her daughter had noticed the curtains in the house had been left drawn when she visited her on Monday. She said she was "horrified" by the girl's death. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
