Latest news with #SusanDuckworth
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Leeds takeaway refused late licence over area's disorder
A Greek takeaway in Leeds city centre has been refused permission to serve food into the early hours because of "serious concerns" over crime and public disorder in the on Duncan Street, faced objections from police and the council over its application to open until 04:00 BST on Fridays and Saturdays and 02:00 BST Sunday to venue, run by Apollonis Greek Food Gyros Ltd, is in a Cumulative Impact Area designated by the council as suffering from high levels of alcohol-related Andy Clifford told Leeds City Council's licensing sub-committee hearing that they were seeking an "an outright refusal of the licence". A licensing report stated that the area was designated as a "red zone" which meant it was "considered highly saturated and experiences particularly high levels of crime, disorder or nuisance."Susan Duckworth, the council's principal licensing officer, said her department had been trying to help the venue operators apply for the despite concerns over alcohol-related disorder in the area, they had not shown how they would manage crowds or drunk customers, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Mrs Duckworth said: "I really strongly feel they would not be capable of organising their business in a way that would help with the problems we have with nuisance and disorder in that part of the city."Councillors unanimously voted to reject the licence application after deciding to proceed in the venue operators' absence.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Locals fight 24/7 booze licence on Otley Run route
Residents have objected to an off-licence near a popular West Yorkshire pub crawl applying for a 24/7 alcohol licence. 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
