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Harehills bar barred from trading
New powers have been used to close a Harehills bar after a court ruled its owners continued to breach their licence.
Bar Noir , in Harehills, has become the first licensed premises in West Yorkshire to be closed by police under new legislation.
But the bar owners, brothers Antonio and Rushpal Chana, say they are
determined to get their business reopened.
The brothers had already had restrictions placed on opening hours, by Leeds City Council's Licensing Sub Committee, after complaints by locals.
In October last year, a man suffered stab wounds after trouble began at the bar, which is based in the Clock Buildings at the junction of Roundhay Road and Easterly Road.
But West Yorkshire Police then made an application for a full closure order after the venue continued to contravene the terms of its licence by staying open throughout the night at weekends.
The order has now been approved by magistrates and the venue is closed to the public.
Under the terms of the closure order, which forms part of the Criminal Justice and Police Act, Rushpal, 29, and Antonio, 30, are only permitted to enter the premises to remove stock and fittings.
An appeal against the decision also failed.
No alcohol can be sold from the premises and the bar is no longer open to the public.
Anyone obstructing the order faces a fine or imprisonment.
Insp Andrew Briggs, who leads Roundhay and Alwoodley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The closure of this venue marks a number of months of hard work by local officers and colleagues from the Licensing Department of West Yorkshire Police.
"Bar Noir had become synonymous with anti-social behaviour and was a real nuisance to the local residents as it frequently disregarded its restricted opening hours.
"More recently it continued to serve alcohol despite the owners not holding a valid licence.
"Obtaining this closure order should act as a warning to other entertainment venues that we will pursue strong enforcement action against anyone who violates the terms of their licence and allows their premises to affect the local community through anti-social behaviour."
Antonio Chana told the YEP that he was hoping to be in a position to make an application to re-open within weeks.
He said: "I think the main problem is that the police and the licensing panel don't like the fact that we are based out of the city centre.
"There are not many incidents here but if there are, we take the safety of our customers very seriously and always report matters to the police. I think this is seen as a waste of their resources and is the
reason they don't want us open.
"I will do everything within my power to get it reopened. I think it is only a matter of time before we overcome any obstacles."
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Friday 18 May 2012
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