Update on Winston's bid for alcohol licence after police 'brothel' claims

The Dewsbury Road club, applying under the name Old Crescent Cinema, had requested permission from Leeds City Council to serve alcohol for 16-hours-a-day.

In 2017, Winston's was denied an alcohol licence after police told a public hearing that the premises was running as 'a brothel'.

Management strongly denied the claims.

A new application made over the summer has now been withdrawn by the club, Hunslet and Riverside councillor Paul Wray confirmed.

He said: "Following our objections, the applicant has withdrawn their premises licence request.

"As local Councillors, we will always put public safety first."

Bosses at the club had also asked for a licence to play music and films, as well as for indoor sporting events and dance performances.

Cllrs Wray, Mohammed Iqbal and Elizabeth Nash made a joint objection to the proposal.

They said in their written statement: "Dewsbury Road itself is a major traffic route for people, including children travelling to and from Beeston.

"The opening hours requested mean that children will be passing at numerous times during the day when alcohol is being served.

"They could therefore be forced to interact with numerous people exiting the venue under the influence of alcohol, leading to the possibility of viewing disorder or becoming a victim of alcohol related crime.

"Any crime or disorder that occurs would have a significant impact on the local communities, especially due to the level of pedestrian use of the footpath in front of the venue and the passing traffic on the road."

They said the venue was close to residential accommodation on Dewsbury Road, Middleton Crescent, Garnet Road, Oakley View and the Woodviews.

"The public, especially the community living around the location could find themselves having to deal with numerous instances of nuisances and disorder caused by people leaving the venue," they said.

The trio added: "We also have concerns for the safety of staff within the venue as the current tenants business includes activities such as personal massage.

"Alcohol consumption by customers could mean an increased danger to staff due to the reduced in-habitations [sic] and self-control of those customers who have had a drink."

In 2017, police said that beds found at the club "could by no stretch of the imagination be termed massage tables".

Winston's strongly rejected the claims however and said there was no evidence that sexual favours were being sold there.

A barrister for the premises said then that the decision to deprive it of an alcohol licence was made on the basis of "prejudice, gossip and rumour".

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