Shop near Leeds United's stadium is refused permission to sell alcohol 24-hours a day

AN OFF-LICENCE close to Leeds United's Elland Road stadium has been refused permission to sell alcohol around the clock.
Leeds Civic HallLeeds Civic Hall
Leeds Civic Hall

Iftikhar Mohmand was seeking to increase the hours alcohol could be sold at Elland Road General Store in Holbeck from the existing 15-hours a day to 24-hours a day.

Mr Mohmand wanted to install a serving hatch in the front wall of the shop and sell alcohol via the hatch after the main shop door was closed at 11pm.

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Leeds City Council’s environmental protection team objected to the application due to concerns about the impact on neighbouring properties from late night noise and disturbance.

The application for a 24-hour licence was refused when Leeds City Council’s licensing sub committee met at Leeds Civic Hall this week.

Mr Mohmand currently has a licence to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays.

A report to the licensing sub committee states that the shop is in an a area of Leeds identified by community committees as “vulnerable to problem drinking.”

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In a letter to Mr Mohmand outlining the objection, Leeds City Council environmental health officer Gurdip Mudhar wrote: “Given that there are residential properties situated close to the application premises, the department has some concerns that the extended hours of the sale of alcohol will generate noise nuisance complaints by way of comings and goings of customers, noise from customer’s vehicles.

“The shop will also attract local youths who will congregate outside the shop during the night and early hours, particularly during the summer making noise and disturbing the local residents. The serving hatch puts the point of purchase out in the street, which could also cause noise disturbance to the residents.

“ln my opinion there are no other shops in the area that have been granted late night licences to sell alcohol after 11pm , and should the application premises be granted 24 hour licence, it will provide a focal point for the customers and could also set a precedent encouraging other shops in the area to follow suit.

“ln view of the above concerns, Leeds City Council’s health and environmental action service fully objects to this application as there is a greater potential for public nuisance to noise sensitive occupants which will undermine the prevention of public nuisance objective of the Licensing Act 2003.”

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Mr Mohmand stated in support of his application that the store has 16 CCTV cameras with backup recording, which are designed to minimise crime and disorder.

He stated that two members of staff would be working when the shop was open and that age of customers would be checked.

Mr Mohmand stated that the store operates a challenge 21 policy to ensure alcohol is not sold to anyone underage.