Locals object to extended hours for Otley Run bar

An MP, councillors, police and residents have objected to a wine bar's application to extend its opening hours.

Arcadia Ale and Wine Bar in Headingley is on the route of the Otley Run pub crawl and wants to serve drinks until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, an hour later than currently allowed.

Leeds City Council received objection letters from 23 residents, along with Labour MP Alex Sobel and ward councillors.

But Market Town Taverns, which runs Arcadia, said strict conditions would be in place at the bar to prevent disorder.

The Otley Run is a popular pub crawl for students, stag dos and other groups which includes 19 venues.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, police and council officers also objected to the application, saying it could fuel anti-social behaviour.

West Yorkshire Police said: "Headingley suffers from nuisance and crime related to the large number of visitors participating in the Otley Run."

Some objectors said they were scared to let their children go into Headingley at weekends.

One wrote: "The weekend crowds outside this bar are a public nuisance, shouting and jeering at passers-by, making residents feel unwelcome in their community."

Deputy Leeds Council leader Jonathan Pryor said, before becoming a venue on the Otley Run, Arcadia had not received complaints.

He said: "When Arcadia changed its policy to allow in Otley Runners, complaints of anti-social behaviour linked to the venue significantly increased."

A new licence for the premises would also allow it continue to operate an outside drinking area on Otley Road.

Currently, customers can drink outside the bar under relaxed licensing rules introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, but these are expected to expire on March 31.

The application will be considered by a licensing sub-committee on Tuesday 4 February.

An application from Loungers UK to open near Arcadia in Headingley was refused by councillors in December.

Otley Road Convenience store was also refused an alcohol licence at a hearing on 21 January.

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