Harehills cafe could be granted alcohol licence after agreeing to reduce hours
An African restaurant could be granted an alcohol licence after agreeing to reduce the hours of serving.
Objections were raised after Damera Cafe and Restaurant, on Gledhow Mount, in Harehills, applied for a premises licence.
Health concerns were raised over the granting of a licence in the densely-populated community, which already suffers from high levels of alcohol-related harm.
An agreement was reached with West Yorkshire Police to limit the alcohol serving hours to 10.30pm, Sunday to Thursday and 11.30pm at weekends.
Objectors included Labour ward councillors Salma Arif and Asghar Ali, along with the council’s public health team.
A letter from the councillors said: “Damera Cafe and Restaurant is located in the heart of a densely populated residential area, sitting adjacent to people’s homes, schools and places of worship.
“It is an area that is already saturated with off-licences and businesses selling alcohol and we see no value to the local community in expanding the opportunity to purchase alcohol in the local area.”
A licensing hearing at Leeds Civic Hall was adjourned after councillors were told an interpreter was not available. It was the second adjournment after the hearing was first scheduled for February 3.
A licence application from Maekele Tekeste Kahsay said the restaurant opened last year and served authentic African dishes.
It said: “The success of the café is due to the popularity of their superb cuisine.”
Damera originally applied to serve alcohol until 1.30am at weekends and 10.30pm, Sunday-Thursday.