Former Chapeltown taxi office granted licence to serve alcohol

Senayt Cafe Bar at 3 Gathorne Street, Chapeltown, had applied to the authority for permission to serve alcohol until 10pm, Monday to Saturday and until 11pm on Sundays.

Both West Yorkshire Police and the council’s environmental protection team had objected to the application, claiming it did not go into enough detail into how crime and disorder would be prevented at the premises.

However, both objections were dropped after the applicants agreed to the suggested terms and conditions set out by both authorities.

And, following objections from a member of the public, Leeds City Council’s licensing sub-committee agreed to grant the licence, but only allow it to serve alcohol until 9pm.

Objecting to the plans, local resident Jane Henry told the meeting she had seen the premises selling alcohol behind closed doors earlier this year.

She added: “I am worried [the licence] is going to cause problems with traffic, antisocial behaviour. Children will be disturbed by having this bar nearby. The building is not appropriate. It’s a single storey building that was supposed to be a taxi rank. It is absolutely tiny – and the idea that someone could run a successful bar is ridiculous.

“My neighbours are all deeply distressed at the idea of having a bar right at the end of my street.”

“People think that we live in the ghetto and think that they can dump on us. I can’t see things like this being allowed in Roundhay or Alwoodley.”

Responding to Miss Henry’s comments, the cafe’s representative said: “Many of the issues she has raised seem rather strange, and not immediately linked to the application.

“Leeds City Council has granted full planning permission for these premises to be used for a bar and a restaurant, I do not understand why she believes it shouldn’t.”

Following a lengthy discussion among panel members, council licensing officer Amy Taylor told the meeting: “The committee resolved to permit the application as applied for but it would be from 9am-9pm for seven days a week.

“The committee decided that reducing the licensable activities to 9pm, it would limit the potential disturbance.”