Plans to allow a Leeds city centre restaurant to serve alcohol until 2am are set to be ruled on by licensing chiefs next week.
An application submitted by Lost At Sea restaurant in Central Arcade asks for permission to serve alcohol every day from 10am-2am, as well as permission to serve hot food and drinks – known as ‘late night refreshment’ – until 2am.
It also asks for these permissions to be extended by one hour for the day British Summertime begins.
The application, however, has been subject to 31 letters of objection, as well as a letter from a ward councillor – all of which are opposed to the application due to fears it could worsen late night antisocial behaviour and crime.
The restaurant is also located in the cumulative impact area for Leeds City Centre – a zone which requires applicants for alcohol licences to provide extra evidence that their plans would not worsen drink-related antisocial behaviour problems in the area.
In a letter to licensing officers, Coun Kayleigh Brooks (Lab) said: “This is right next to an LGBTA (sic) cafe, Flamingos. Flamingos is one of very few ‘dry’ spaces for the LGBTQ community in Leeds – and the UK as a whole – and is a valuable and much loved community and cultural asset.
“I am concerned about the impact potential nuisance noise and antisocial behaviour will have on this existing business and the surrounding area. If this application falls within a cumulative impact area, I would also like this taking into account.”
One letter from a member of the public read: “I am concerned that the noise could have a detrimental effect on the arcade and on our business. Noise carries in the Arcade, and with the business already often playing loud music, I am concerned that this will cause even more of a public nuisance.”
The application includes several measures from the applicants to combat crime and disorder – including a suitable CCTV system, a number of door supervisors between 10pm and 2am, as well as an incident register.
It adds there would be a communication link via radio to other city centre venues, as well as a ban on drinks being taken off the premises.
The plans are set to be ruled on by members of Leeds City Council’s licensing sub-committee on Thursday, November 12.
