The licence of a Leeds bar has been revoked following multiple breaches of the Covid-19 regulations and licensing conditions.

The licence of a Leeds bar has been revoked following multiple breaches of the Covid-19 regulations and licensing conditions.

Leeds City Council’s Entertainment Licensing Enforcement Team took action against Bob’s Bar and Grill, in Sheepscar Street South, to revoke the premises licence. The team worked with West Yorkshire Police to present overwhelming evidence of breaches to a licensing sub-committee, which ultimately withdrew the license.

This action by the council is part of a continued effort to keep residents safe and allow for the successful reopening of the hospitality sector across the city. Enforcement was crucial in order to avoid any potential setbacks for the vast majority of hospitality venues that have and continue to operate within the Covid-19 regulations.

The council had been liaising with the venue owner and premises licence holder, Mr Asfaha, since January 2020 regarding the premises CCTV not being compliant with the licence conditions, which came about after a number of public complaints were made to the council that the premises was operating outside permitted hours as well as loud music being played. This matter was only resolved ten months later after the team had served a closure notice for continuing licence breaches.

Evidence was also presented to the licensing sub-committee by West Yorkshire Police, relating to multiple breaches of coronavirus restrictions. Including the police finding 17 people on the premises at 1:30 a.m. on the 15 June 2020 during the initial lockdown period.

The licensing committee recognised the severity of revoking the premises licence, but was left with little option due to repeated breaches of both Covid-19 regulation and licensing conditions by Mr Asfaha. The licensing sub-committee felt that any other course of action would not address the issue due to repeated breaches and failure to engage with relevant partners. This view was also supported by the West Yorkshire Police representative, who felt that Mr Asfaha had no interest in upholding the law and licensing objectives, and felt the only way to address the issues leading up to the review application being made was revocation of the licence.

A Leeds City council spokesperson, said:

 “It is crucial that bars and restaurants within the Leeds area are aware of the various licencing conditions as well as continuing to operate within the Covid-19 regulations. Whilst the council continues to support the reopening of the hospitality sector across Leeds, it is important that the sector does so in a safe and Covid secure manner. This successful action by the council will help protect Bars and Restaurants as well as residents who continue to follow Covid-19 regulations. “