Leeds Kirkgate Market fears raised over shop's alcohol licence in street-drinking hotspot
The council has objected to the plans
Fears have been raised over the impact on Kirkgate Market if a nearby shop in a street-drinking hotspot is given an alcohol licence.
The council’s markets department has objected to an application for a premises licence from New York Street Convenience Store.
The applicant, Rizak Ltd, applied to sell drinks from 7am-11pm from the premises at 33 New York Street.
An objection letter said the historic market was already affected by anti-social behaviour caused by street drinkers buying alcohol from other off-licences.
It said: “We are doing a lot of work to drive up visitor numbers to the market and are running a number of events aimed at families with children.
“A number of the street drinking cohort come onto our premises and urinate on our building, congregate around the stalls on the outdoor market on a night where damage is sustained at a cost to the tax payer.”
Leeds City Council said an objection was also received from its Safer Communities team ahead of a licensing hearing on Tuesday, October 6.
But objections from West Yorkshire Police and council licensing officers were withdrawn after agreements were reached with the applicant.
Proposed conditions on the licence included restrictions on the strength of alcohol sold.
A council report said: “There shall be no sale of beer, lager, cider or perry above 6.5 per cent ABV (alcohol by volume). No single cans of beer, lager or cider shall be sold.”
The applicant said CCTV and a challenge 25 policy would be among measures to prevent nuisance behaviour.
The application form said: “The display of alcohol shall be in a designated area of the premises which is capable of being supervised from the counter area.
“Customers shall be discouraged from drinking alcohol outside the premises.”
Councillors will have the option of granting, refusing or allowing the licence with additional conditions at the hearing at Leeds Civic Hall.