Complaints about pubs and bars in Leeds more than doubled last year.
Figures released as part of Leeds City Council’s 2019 annual licensing report show the authority’s licensing department received 163 concerns relating issues such as noise, unlicensed activity and breach of licensing conditions.
This is a marked increase from the previous year, which saw only 103 complaints received by the authority related to the licensing act.
The report claimed complaints are generally resolved through liaison with the licence-holder and engagement with relevant services.
However, it stated that three licences were revoked last year following enforcement action.
The report added: “The council and responsible authorities are committed to encouraging a thriving daytime and evening economy but will not tolerate those premises whose activities infringe upon the quality of life for local residents and businesses.
“Formal enforcement will be a last resort and proportionate to the degree of risk. To this end the key principles of consistency, transparency and proportionality will be maintained.
“Entertainment licensing has not brought any prosecutions to court in 2019 which demonstrates that liaison and support to licence holders and by the same token with residents is a successful tool.”
As part of its licensing activity, Leeds City Council has a number of so-called ‘red zones’, where applications for new licences are often rejected due to the risk of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in that area.
One such area, in Albion Street, was removed from the city centre red zone ‘to encourage development’, following the reduction in crime and closure of three large premises in the area.
The Licensing Act 2003 covers the sale or supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment (hot drinks and food)
In the wider Leeds district the section licences 2,891 individual premises under the Licensing Act. These include public houses, registered members clubs, late night bars, nightclubs, off licences, late night takeaways and restaurants.
It even includes some village halls, community centres, school halls and major outdoor events.
