Public Opposition to Alcohol License for New Restaurant on Otley Run Route

Public opposition has emerged regarding a proposal to serve alcohol at a new restaurant situated along the route of a well-known bar crawl. Leeds City Council has recorded 99 objections concerning an application submitted by Loungers UK for the premises at 22-24 Headingley Central, located on Otley Road. Additionally, ward councillors, West Yorkshire Police, and the council itself have expressed concerns about the proposed new establishment, which is located on the Otley Run, a route encompassing 18 pubs stretching from Headingley to the city centre. This cafe and restaurant, situated within the building that previously housed the Arndale Centre, intends to serve alcoholic beverages until 23:00 GMT from Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on weekends. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, concerns have been voiced that granting this licence could exacerbate anti-social behaviour attributed to boisterous groups participating in the pub crawl, often in fancy dress. The Otley Run has evolved into a progressively contentious matter in recent years. Critics assert that local residents are compelled to endure ongoing issues such as public drunkenness, urination in public, and harassment. Conversely, proponents contend that the crawl represents a customary rite of passage for students in Leeds, with the majority participating without incident. Similarly, the initial proposals for Headingley Central, revealed last month, generated divided opinions among local residents interviewed by the BBC. In an objection letter, Headingley Green Party councillor Tim Goodall noted the frequent occurrence of altercations and intoxicated individuals straying into the busy thoroughfare. He stated: “Some residents have recently contacted me to say that they are planning to move away from the area because of the Otley Run and, in some cases, have already put their house up for sale.” The site for the proposed venue is located within a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), a designation by the council indicating high levels of problem drinking. Applicants seeking a licence in CIA zones are mandated to prove that their establishment will not contribute to existing alcohol-related issues. Labour councillors Jonathan Pryor and Abdul Hannan asserted that the venue should primarily focus on food service and refrain from serving patrons in fancy dress. They commented: “We do not believe the applicant has demonstrated this is their application.” The application is scheduled for consideration at a licensing sub-committee hearing on 12 December. Councillors will possess the authority to either grant or refuse the licence, or to approve it subject to the imposition of further conditions. A spokesperson for Loungers informed the BBC that “appropriate conditions relating to the Otley Run” would be deliberated with the council concerning the premises, which was formerly a Wilko store. However, the spokesperson did not confirm whether the brand intended to function as an official stop on the route.