Leeds bar hits back at police opposition to plans to serve drinks until 2am
Police and the council have raised concerns over potential public disorder
A decision is awaited on whether a city centre bar can serve drinks until 2am following a council licensing hearing.
The Society, on Swinegate, applied to Leeds City Council to extend its opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
The premises, which currently serves until midnight, faced opposition from police and the council’s licensing team over potential public disorder.
George Domleo, representing the applicant Ashley Stockton, said a licence variation would not allow more customers into the bar.
He said: “This is not a new premises. It’s not a nightclub application.”
Councillors were told the venue was in a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), designated 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 licences.
Mr Domleo said the venue was on the edge of the CIA area and the proposed hours were comparable to other nearby premises.
A proposed condition on the extended hours meant nobody would be admitted to the bar during the last hour of serving.
Mr Domleo said: “In practical terms, The Society will become a closed environment after 1am.”
Mr Stockton said he was receiving calls from prospective customers who wanted to book the venue after midnight.
He said: “Somewhere 20 yards away can do it quite easily, but I’m restricted.”
Mr Domleo said there were no problems when the venue was allowed to open later under temporary event notices issued by the council.
West Yorkshire Police said there was a significant increase in drink-related incidents in the CIA area between 11pm and 3am.
Council licensing officer Susan Duckworth said venues in CIA zones needed to demonstrate they would not add to alcohol-fuelled disorder if allowed to open later.
She said: “It’s the pure fact that you have bar after bar opening later. It’s the density of people in that area that creates problems.”
The hearing was told a written decision on the licence variation would be issued within five working days.