A bid by a Chapel Allerton takeaway to extend its opening hours until the early hours of the morning was criticised by councillors amid concerns about its impact on the community.
Abids Takeaway in Stanibeck Lane wanted to estend its opening hours from Sunday to Wednesday until midnight, Thursday until 1am and Friday and Saturday until 2.30am.
Councillors agreed to an extension - but only until 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11am on Sundays.
A report to yesterday's licensing sub-committee meeting in Leeds Civic Hall said that police were concerned that the number of licensed premises in Chapel Allerton was already at saturation point and that the area was 'unable to absorb' any more licensed venues.
Licensing officer PC Lynn Dobson said:
"While incidents are usually alcohol related and, [and] we accept that late-night takeaways do not sell alcohol, they do attract inebriated persons from clubs and bars and can result in higher than average violent crime associated with their premises, especially on the street."Late night refreshments premises are well-known across the city for being 'flash points' for violence where people come together and the confortations lead to violence."
Policy to be extended
Chapel Allerton is currently subject to a cumulative impact policy which regulated the number of premises and opening hours, and it's planned to extend that policy to takeaways.
Local resident Anna Wisniewska accused the council of turning her 'partly protected' community into a 'monstrosity' because of all the food outlets and detailed a number of problems with anti-social behaviour connected to licensed premises in general.
Chris and Jillian Johnson objected on the grounds of potential noise and disturbance issues.
But resident Martin Copeland said he was in favour of the application as having more people around 'will increase the feeling of safety'.
Yum Yum Thai restaurant and takeaway
An application for a premises licence at Yum Yum Thai restaurant and takeaway in Bank Street, Wetherby, was approved by councillors.
Police had expressed concerns about the application - and local residents had also voiced their objections to the opening times. A copy of the report can be found here.
Councillors on yesterday's licensing sub-committee approved the application, in line with the existing planning consent. Closing time will be 12.30am, with food and drink being served until midnight.
But in a letter to the meeting, resident Paul Grant said:
"Because of the close proximity of these premises to a residential area, I would be very disappointed if the closing times were not 11pm Monday-Saturday and 10.30pm Sunday in line with the existing restrictions on the Muse restaurant on the opposite corner. This is to preserve what tranquility residents already enjoy and to prevent a rush from local pubs for the extra hour."
He also said the site was unsuitable for a takeaway and raised issues with litter in the town centre.
Junee Wardle, proprietor of nearby A to J Lingerie, also voiced concerns. She added:
"The retailers of Wetherby have enough problems at the moment. This is a beautiful old property and deserves better than a takeaway restaurant of whtever origin."
And 90-year-old Mary Crayford, of Church Street, said she already experienced a low level of rowdy and drunken behaviour outside her home. Fellow resident Jill Pearce said that safe access and egress would be an issue.
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