Tesco seeks licence to sell alcohol for 18 hours a day at store on Otley Run pub crawl route
A supermarket chain is seeking to sell alcohol for 18 hours a day on the route of a famous Leeds pub crawl.
Tesco has applied for a licence to sell drinks from 6am to midnight from a planned new store in Headingley Central, on Otley Road.
A vacant unit on the route of the Otley Run, which draws thousands of drinkers to the area at weekends, could become a Tesco Express.
Tim Goodall, a Green Party ward councillor, said people living nearby were worried it could add to alcohol-related disorder.
He said: “There are at least 20 outlets – bars, shops, restaurants – already selling alcohol in central Headingley.”
The proposed new Tesco is in a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), classed as suffering from high levels of alcohol-related harm by the council.
In December 2024, bar and restaurant firm Loungers UK was refused a premises licence for the same site.
The new Tesco would be close to an existing Sainsbury’s supermarket, a Burger King, McDonald’s and Arcadia wine bar.
Coun Goodall said: “We already have three supermarkets within five minutes’ walk of each other and this new one would be almost next to the large Sainsbury’s at Headingley Central.
“Almost all residents tell me that they want a home and garden or DIY shop, something that will actually bring people to Headingley, rather than just another supermarket.”
Tesco said it would have strict conditions in place to prevent disorder, including CCTV and a “think 25” policy.
The licence application said: “The company has devised policies, procedures, systems and training to ensure that they sell alcohol in a responsible manner.
“A member of the management team will be on the premises all the time the store is open.
“The company has a good neighbour ethos which seeks to ensure that the premises plays an active part in the local community.”
A premises licence application is out for consultation until February 10. Further conditions or changes to the opening hours could be agreed during the consultation period.