Council agrees new deal for south Leeds pub after row over £180-a-night door staff
Pub told it must have at least one bouncer working weekends
A south Leeds pub has reached a compromise with the council and police after applying to operate without door supervisors.
The New Middleton, which escaped losing its licence two years ago, has been told it must have at least one bouncer working at weekends.
Its operators wanted to remove a condition on the premises licence requiring two door staff on duty at the Thorpe Street pub from 8pm, Friday to Sunday.
It was imposed after a Leeds City Council licensing hearing in June 2024 was told injuries were caused in a late-night mass brawl outside.
Councillors were told the pub’s clientele had since dwindled and there had been no other such incidents before or after it was taken over by Tanya Clowes in 2022.
Ms Clowes said the door supervisors were costing £180-a-night and the pub was closed on Fridays and Sundays to keep costs down.
She said: “We’ve had them on for two years. We don’t need them. It’s really quiet in the pub now.
“It just seems like too many door staff for one pub with no customers.”
The application to operate without weekend door staff was opposed by West Yorkshire Police.
But PC Neil Haywood said the premises could be run with one accredited door supervisor at weekends.
He said: “We feel it is a fair and reasonable compromise.”
Councillors agreed to vary the premises licence at a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall on Tuesday.
Conditions included two registered door staff being in place for events where more than 100 people were expected.
Door staff must be on the premises for that purpose only and not undertake any other pub duties.