Infamous Leeds pub could get its licence back

A notorious Leeds pub has been given a reprieve by licensing bosses after plans to 'reinvent' the venue were unveiled following police concerns.
The Aviator pub, in High Street, Yeadon.The Aviator pub, in High Street, Yeadon.
The Aviator pub, in High Street, Yeadon.

The Aviator, in High Street, Yeadon, has had its licence suspended for a further eight weeks – having already been closed a month – but looks set to be allowed to reopen in May if it make a series of changes.

The pub was shutdown amid West Yorkshire Police (WYP) concerns over violent incidents – the latest saw glasses used as weapons during a brawl that left three men needing hospital treatment on February 6.

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Paddy Whur, representing the pub’s owners, told a Leeds City Council licensing sub-committee meeting that the site will be given a £100,000 revamp as a food and real ale bar called ‘Yeadon’s Yard’ today.

A total of 11 changes will be made including selling alcohol no later than 11pm, bringing in new management and door staff, and banning smoking or drinking at the front of the pub.

Mr Whur said the plans would “completely reinvent” the venue and be “much better than seeing this pub boarded up”.

He added: “I’m instructed to apologise for what happened and assure you of what’s coming.”

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Prior to February 6, police were called to a 20-person brawl outside the pub on New Year’s Day, which even involved the manager on duty.

Last May 52-year-old Richard Davies died from head injuries after trying to break up a fight that started in the Aviator.

In February a WYP report to the council said: “West Yorkshire Police have real concerns that should another serious incident occur, any injuries could be potentially fatal.

“Therefore West Yorkshire Police cannot afford to wait and put public safety at risk.”