'No go area' Headingley residents near famous Otley Run pub crawl want stricter alcohol controls
People living on the route of a famous pub crawl in Leeds have voiced overwhelming support for stricter alcohol licensing.
Dozens of Headingley residents described scenes of rowdy weekend behaviour on the Otley Run, when consulted by Leeds City Council.
The council suggested extending the Headingley Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), designed to limit harm from excessive alcohol sales.
The Otley run is a well known pub crawl of 15 to 18 stops, with its origins in student culture, and participants often wear fancy dress.
The council’s Licensing Committee was told it would close a gap in CIA controls between central Headingley and Hyde Park Corner.
More than 50 public responses were received on the future of the city’s CIA zones.
Principal licensing officer Susan Duckworth told councillors: “There was overwhelming support for extending the Headingley CIA along Otley Road to Hyde Park Corner.”
CIA zones can limit the number of licensed premises allowed to open in areas affecting by problem drinking, but do not impose a blanket ban.
Mrs Duckworth said there were high levels of alcohol-fuelled disorder along the Otley Run.
She said: “The sale of alcohol in the main part of Headingley has an impact on the full length of Otley Road.”
A consultation report said some people described Otley Road as a “no-go area” at weekends.