Police have raised concerns

A bar could be blocked from extending its weekend serving hours until 2am in a city centre drinking hotspot.

The Society, on Swinegate, has applied to Leeds City Council for later opening on Friday and Saturday.

The premises, which currently serves until midnight, faced opposition to the move over potential public disorder.

Society on Swinegate during its makeover, with the bar moving to the cellar to make way for Irish pub Temple on the main floor | YEP

placeholder image — Society on Swinegate during its makeover, with the bar moving to the cellar to make way for Irish pub Temple on the main floor | YEP

The main bar was recently replaced by Irish pub Temple, while Society remained at the address, but relocated to the cellar.

The venue is in a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), designated by the council as suffering from high levels of alcohol-related harm.

It is also part of a CIA “red zone” where the strictest controls apply for new and amended alcohol licences.

A council report said both West Yorkshire Police and licensing authority officers raised concerns over later opening.

It said: “The licensing authority acknowledges that the premises is an existing licensed venue and that the proposed variation does not seek to alter the style of operation.”

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But later opening would increase the availability of alcohol at times when the city centre was prone to disorder and public nuisance, the report said.

The applicant said the licence variation would be “limited and proportionate” and planning permission had already been given to operate until 2am.

The bar previously served later under temporary licences issued by the council and the variation would help with the safe dispersal of customers.

The council report said: “The absence of complaints or enforcement action does not demonstrate that later hours will not add to cumulative impact.”

Premises operators in CIA areas must demonstrate that changes to their licences would not add to drink-related problems.

A police report said: “West Yorkshire Police is particularly concerned with regards to the impact the extended hours for the supply of alcohol will have on the current Leeds City Centre CIA.

“This concern is then further heightened by the fact these premises sit within the area of the Leeds City Centre CIA known as the Call Lane Red Zone.”

A licensing sub-committee hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at Leeds Civic Hall.