Convenience shop in Leeds street drinking hotspot given permission to sell alcohol
The area is classed as suffering from high levels of alcohol-related harm
A convenience store in a Leeds city centre street drinking hotspot has been granted permission for alcohol sales.
New York Mini-Market can sell drinks until 10pm after conditions were agreed to avoid public nuisance.
Opening hours were reduced for the shop on New York Street and restrictions were placed on the strength of drinks to be sold.
Bill Donne, a licensing consultant representing the applicant, told councillors intoxicated and under-age people would not be served.
He said: “We accept the conditions from West Yorkshire Police and we are happy that the premises closes at 10pm.”
Four objection letters were received by Leeds City Council, raising concerns over potential public disorder.
One said vulnerable and homeless people were regularly seen drinking in the street near the shop, also known as Leeds Mini Market.
They said: “Street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour are already ongoing concerns locally.”
A licensing hearing was told the shop is in a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), classed as suffering from high levels of alcohol-related harm.
Another objector said: “The area around Leeds Bus Station and the city centre already experiences issues involving street drinking, anti-social behaviour, aggressive behaviour and disturbances connected to alcohol consumption.”
The licence was granted following the hearing on Tuesday at Leeds Civic Hall.
Conditions included alcohol not being advertised or displayed in the shop window.
Customers would also be discouraged from drinking outside the premises.
Mr Donne said: “It needs strong management, which I believe the applicant can provide.
“There is no way a shop of this size, selling a whole raft of goods, is going to cause a nuisance.
“It’s a tricky area. We accept that. But businesses do need to open.”