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Troubled Cross Gates pub can open longer
Residents feared a return to the bad old days if a once-notorious pub got an extension of hours.
They and ward councillors objected to late night opening at the Barnbow (formerly the Manston) on Austhorpe Road, Cross Gates.
* Click here for latest YEP news.
But Leeds Licensing Committee gave it the benefit of the doubt and allowed the extension.
On Friday and Saturday, it will open until midnight instead of 11pm; and on Sunday it will stay open until 11pm, instead of 10.30pm. Closing time from Monday to Thursday will remain at 11pm.
Committee chairman, Coun Gerald Wilkinson, said the new owners had shown they could run the pub successfully for three years.
"If this doesn't work out," he told objectors, "you have the right to demand a review."
Coun Don Wilson, another committee member, said the Barnbow suffered from the Manston's reputation which was appalling.
Objector Peter Macklam, of Manston Lane, told the committee: "It will go back to the same old ways. People will come from all over to the Barnbow if they can drink until midnight. It will be 1am before they go home.
"We used to have fighting there but we have had three years when we could sit in the garden and enjoy our lives."
Mrs Anne Beckett, of Penda's Way, warned: "We are looking at a sea change and going into unknown territory."
Coun Pauline Grahame (Lab, Cross Gates and Whinmoor) said: "The Barnbow is more upmarket now but it is still technically a pub. It is attracting people from another pub which can be rowdy."
But Miss Helen Audsley, for owners the Orchid Group, said there was no police objection to the extension of hours. "And the police are not backwards at coming forward," she stressed.
"The feedback from customers is that they would like to sit a little longer after their meals at weekends."
She stressed the emphasis was now on food and she pledged: "We are not turning this back into a Sky sports and drink-led pub."
Manager Robert Dunn said: "I have nothing but sympathy for what
residents suffered some years ago. But we get nice, decent people now and not rowdy lads."
A Barnbow customer, Andrew Wilkinson, added: "The younger, more undesirable elements are not welcome any more and Rob has worked hard to discourage them."
* The licensing committee agreed to an extension of hours at Seacroft Green Social Club, Brooklands Avenue, after the owners amended their
application.
Licensee Roy Houghton conceded that the public did not want the club to open until 1am on weekdays. So he withdrew that application.
Instead, the club will now be allowed to open until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Police had objected to any extension because of the risk of public disorder. Brooklands Avenue was one of the 10 worst hot spots in the city, said Insp Ed Chesters.
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Weather for Leeds
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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