Plans for a Calverley shop to have an outdoor drinking area have been refused by Leeds City Council decision-makers.
Calverley News in Woodhall Road currently holds a premises licence for off sales only, but wanted permission for an additional facility to provide alcohol sales to be consumed in an area outside the shop.
The application said the seating area would be serviced by mobile catering units parked adjacent to the premises. The licence would cover the times 8am-9pm Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm Saturday, and 9am-1pm Sunday.
Four letters objected to the proposal, with a Calverley & Farsley councillor claiming it was “beyond belief” to place such an area next to a road that is “known for speeding”.
Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons) told the licensing sub-committee meeting that he was concerned about cars being able to park on the forecourt where food outlets are operating and confirmed that he had been in contact with the council’s highways department regarding further traffic calming measures.
Cllr Carter also queried how the sale of alcohol would be controlled, specifically in relation to how long customers will consume alcohol for.
Applicant Nilesh Mistry, of Calverley News, explained that the premises has been running on reduced hours during the pandemic and there are currently no plans for that to change.
He said mobile catering units next to the premises provided services during the pandemic to the local community, and the application will enable customers to wait and have a drink whilst their food is being prepared. Mr Nilesh said alcohol being consumed would not be early hours in the morning and will primarily be when the mobile units are operating outside of the premises.
Mr Nilesh said views collected from neighbours had been positive and that outdoor seating was foldable to easily put away inside the premises on an evening. He confirmed plans to separate the licensable area and the pavement to disassociate passing residents.
He said many local residents will walk to the premises, while others will park to pick up food from the vans, and pointed out the distance between the zebra crossing on the main road and the premises in comparison to local pubs.
The licensing sub-committee decided to refuse Mr Nilesh’s application.