The Reserve - licence application on Otley Road

A premises licence application has been made for 96 Otley Road (the massage shop) to become a 'neighbourhood cocktail bar', with conditions offered to allow no Otley Runners.

Full details below. We're meeting with the applicant on Monday 21st July to look at the premises, discuss his plans, and make a decision on our own submission. What are your views? Please let us know.

Also at the bottom we have shared the suggested conditions made by the Entertainment Licensing team, which we think are very sensible.

Full details

"We intend to establish an upscale neighbourhood cocktail bar on the ground floor of the building, offering a refined yet welcoming atmosphere for the local community. With a wealth of experience gained from working in some of the world’s most prestigious venues—including The Savoy Hotel in London—we are excited to bring our dedication and passion to exceptional hospitality to our home city of Leeds. Our concept will combine expertly crafted cocktails with a curated selection of high quality small plates and bar food, designed to complement the drinks experience. We will draw on classic and contemporary techniques to create a cocktail menu that is both innovative and approachable, while our food offering will be prepared with the same attention to detail and quality. Service will be warm, knowledgeable, and attentive, ensuring every guest feels at home from the moment they arrive."

They have applied for:

Alcohol:              Mon – Thurs 15:00 – 23:00

                                Fri 15:00 – 00:00

                                Sat 12:00 – 00:00

                                Sunday 12:00 – 22:00

Live music         Mon – Thurs 18:00 – 21:00

                                Fri and Sat 18:00 – 22:00

                                Sunday 17:00 – 20:00

Rec music          Mon – Thurs 15:00 – 23:00

                                Fri 15:00 – 00:00

                                Sat 12:00 – 00:00

                                Sunday 12:00 – 22:00

Opening:             Mon – Thurs 15:00 – 23:00

                                Fri 15:00 – 00:00

                                Sat 12:00 – 00:00

                                Sunday 12:00 – 22:00

They have offered the usual measures in their operating schedule - designed to deal with everyday issues created by licensed premises - but to note they have also offered:

"WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE who is in fancy dress , part of the Otley run or is already intoxicated as this is not the style of what we are wanting to offer and also to prevent public nuisance. We will also not be allowing anyone below the age of 18 into the premises to ensure protection of children. We will have a licensed door men to prevent anyone entering the bar who may want to commit an offence or is in fancy dress or part of the Otley Run."

The application has received reps from residents, but also from West Yorkshire Police who have sought agreement for the following conditions:

1. The CCTV shall be checked weekly to ensure it is working correctly and a log maintained of those checks. This log will be kept on the premises for a 12 month period and produced for inspection when requested to do so by an authorised officer.

2. The external drinking area below the front window of the premises shall only consist of a removable or collapsible bench that is secured when not in use. It shall seat 2-3 people only. The bench will only be available to use when the premises is open for trade. When the external area belonging to 94 Otley Road is in use, it shall contain no more than seating for 8 people. The external area shall be managed by staff to ensure that customers do not encroach onto the public highway.

3. There will be no vertical drinking/eating inside the premises or in the external area of the premises.

4. Staff training will be carried out at regular intervals. Records will be endorsed by staff and retained on the premises for a 12 month period. Records shall be produced for inspection when requested to do so by an authorised officer.

5. Queue systems shall be restricted to designated and controlled areas that are organised to prevent any risk to customers, other businesses and pedestrians from any nuisance or vehicles.  Any queues forming shall be managed at all times by a designated member of staff.

6. The sale/supply of alcohol shall only be made to accompany the sale of food. This does not preclude the sale/supply of alcohol to a person waiting to be seated in the venue or at the conclusion of the meal.

7. Any Security staff shall be provided with induction training so that they have a full understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are fully conversant with the policies and procedures unique to the premises, including safeguarding and welfare arrangements, communication methods and emergency response procedures.

8. A security register shall be maintained at the premises for the recording of all security staff on duty on each occasion. The register shall include for each individual:   full legible name; SIA registration number; the date and times they commenced and finished duty; and verification by the individual in the form of their signature.  This register shall be available for inspection by any authorised officer of the responsible authorities and shall be securely retained by the premises licence holder or nominated person for a period of 12 months from the date of the last entry

Environment has also made a qualified representation and sought:

1. There shall be no external drinking /eating area to the front of the premises.

We have not received confirmation that these conditions have been agreed by the applicant as yet."

Due to the representations, a hearing has been arranged for 12^th August.

Suggested conditions from the Entertainment Licensing team

• Entry shall be refused to individuals or groups wearing fancy dress and are participating in the Otley Run or similar.

• Groups in themed co-ordinated costumes (inc. those on stag/hen parties, student events or sports events) shall be subject to behaviour-based risk assessment at the point of entry. Entry shall be refused if the group presents signs of intoxication, disorderly conduct, or if their attire is likely to provoke anti-social behaviour or offence.

• Any person who appears to be intoxicated or who is behaving in a disorderly manner shall not be allowed entry to the premises.

• All front of house and security staff must be trained in queue management and conflict resolution, with specific reference to high volume Otley Run days.