Leeds student pub at risk of closure withdraws application to extend late night opening hours
The Fenton withdrew its application after opposition from police and the local council
A fan-favourite public house in Leeds retracted its request for an extra hour of licenced service time on weekdays to help it survive as a business, amidst opposition from police and the council.
The Fenton, in business since 1850, applied for an extra hour of opening times till 2am during weekdays, with considerations to the application taking place at a licensing sub-committee hearing on Tuesday 10th December.
However, a day before the meeting, The Fenton chose to withdraw its application.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Following objections to the extension from Environmental Health and West Yorkshire Police due to previous complaint referrals, the applicant decided to withdraw its application.”
Explaining this decision, The Fenton’s manager, Ben Consearo, told The Leeds Tab: “Our new student nights on a Tuesday have become so popular, so we just wanted to inquire for that extra hour – just incase we got it.
“We really didn’t mean to cause offence to anyone, so we decided to just withdraw our application.”
The independent beer house on Woodhouse Lane sees increased footfall due to being a popular stop on the Otley Run pub crawl, but has revealed facing challenges because of restricted closing hours on weekdays, when customer numbers are lower.
While The Fenton’s licence allows it to open and sell alcoholic drinks till 1am, the business pointed to the fact it caters for the majority of its customers during the evenings. The application said: “The nature of trade at The Fenton means we do not get busy until the evenings.”
However, opposition came from West Yorkshire Police, who are situated only a few doors down from the business.
Most Read
Officers from the nearby station have complained about the noise pollution coming from the pub later in the evenings, disrupting their work.
West Yorkshire Police stated public urinating, littering and distruptive behaviour were also ongoing issues.
Their objection letter said: “If The Fenton is allowed to open until 2am every night this will no doubt have significant impact on the working environment of the police station.
“The issues have been going on for a number of years now.”
Leeds City Council’s environment team said the pub was previously given permission to open an hour later.
Their objection letter said: “The 2015 increase in hours has coincided with regular issues with music and patron noise. Increasing hours further into the night could increase or exacerbate existing issues.”
As part of the application, The Fenton submitted a copy of its Safer Spaces Policy, which is employed to tackle unacceptable behaviour.
The policy said: “The safety, well being and comfort of everyone in The Fenton, including our staff, is our highest priority.”
The licence application said customers were not allowed to leave the pub with open containers, and noise was kept to a minimum after 11pm.
The Fenton has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Featured image via Google Maps
Latest
Leeds student pub at risk of closure withdraws application to extend late night opening hours
The Fenton withdrew its application after opposition from police and the local council
All the UK unis which are cutting back STEM subjects to save money
Even Russell Group unis are making science staff reduntant
A simple who’s who for the cast of your next Netflix obsession Selling The City
I’ll know everything about them in a matter of days
All the secret meanings behind the Players’ numbers in Squid Game season two
Gi-hun’s number is actually a wild gambling reference
This tiny detail completely changes the meaning behind the roulette scene in Squid Game
If you needed further proof the recruiter is insane
The real-life event that inspired main character Gi-hun’s entire story in Squid Game
It happened in South Korea in 2009
Tributes paid to Nobel Prize winning University of Sheffield lecturer
Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart died on 30th December
Brand deals to number ones: Inside the unhinged net worth of Squid Game Thanos actor T.O.P
He even has a mysterious Hyundai Black Card
Inside the mega fancy real life houses used in Missing You on Netflix
HOW did they all have such nice homes?!
Leeds student pub at risk of closure withdraws application to extend late night opening hours
The Fenton withdrew its application after opposition from police and the local council
All the UK unis which are cutting back STEM subjects to save money
Even Russell Group unis are making science staff reduntant
A simple who’s who for the cast of your next Netflix obsession Selling The City
I’ll know everything about them in a matter of days
All the secret meanings behind the Players’ numbers in Squid Game season two
Gi-hun’s number is actually a wild gambling reference
This tiny detail completely changes the meaning behind the roulette scene in Squid Game
If you needed further proof the recruiter is insane
The real-life event that inspired main character Gi-hun’s entire story in Squid Game
It happened in South Korea in 2009
Tributes paid to Nobel Prize winning University of Sheffield lecturer
Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart died on 30th December
Brand deals to number ones: Inside the unhinged net worth of Squid Game Thanos actor T.O.P
He even has a mysterious Hyundai Black Card
Inside the mega fancy real life houses used in Missing You on Netflix
HOW did they all have such nice homes?!