Bar and restaurant gets licence after refusing to serve people on Otley Run
An Indian-themed bar and grill is set to open after agreeing not to serve people on a famous Leeds pub crawl.
Soho Tavern was granted a premises licence for its new food venue on Weetwood Lane.
Councillors agreed to the licence after hearing fancy dress pub crawlers on the Otley Run would not be admitted.
The applicant, Soho Gateshead Property Group, also agreed to reduce the hours alcohol would be served to 11am-11pm daily.
Leeds City Council received 33 objections, including from ward councillors and MP Alex Sobel, raising concerns it could add to rowdy behaviour on the crawl.
Patrick Burke, representing the applicant, said the company already ran similar venues in Birmingham and Newcastle.
He told a licensing hearing: “This is not an application by stealth.
“This is an established and well-fun company within the industry. The operators have years of experience running similar venues.”
Councillors were told the venue was a former fish and chip shop called Bryan’s and then Catch, and previously had a premises licence.
Objector Michael Hurwood, who lives nearby, described chaotic scenes every weekend as pub crawlers arrived in the area.
He said: “When the Otley Run is in full flow you can have 4,000 people descending on these pubs”
The hearing was told drinkers would spill out into the street from nearby Woodies and the Three Horseshoes, the first two pubs on the crawl.
Mr Hurwood asked for restrictions on the outdoor seating area of the new venue.
Labour Weetwood councillor Izaak Wilson said there were elderly people living nearby.
He said: “That area will need vigilance and supervision.”
A licensing sub-committee reduced the hours alcohol would be served after Soho first applied for 9am-midnight daily.
Clear signage would advise Otley Runners not to enter and door supervisors would be employed if necessary.