Bar living on borrowed time as closure threat deepens

The Starlight Bar, in Shaftsbury Parade, Harehills Lane, is said by police to have caused problems “on and off for many years”.

“The premises were well-known, for all the wrong reasons, especially the fights that have spilled out onto the street which the police have had to deal with.

“Whilst the premises have had a trouble history, this application concerns itself with the last 18 months...”

Now a meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee on Monday, April 30 will be asked to consider evidence from West Yorkshire Police for a review of the premises licence, said to be “the only option available.”

Lynn Dobson, a vastly experienced officer, in her report for the meeting says the bar has been known during its time as Ibiza Bar, Tropicana and Byblos.

She says there have been problems concerning breaches of the licence regarding the hours that were being operated.

Of perhaps even greater worry for nearby residents was the noise emanating from the premises situated in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill area of the city – said to be a “huge concern”.

The report says: “As a licensing officer we receive complaints in relation to noise and crime and disorder issues on a regular basis.

“Most of the time I would say that the complainants wish to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals but in the case of The Starlight Bar there has been a real depth of feeling within the community and residents have wanted their voices to be heard.

“Some residents have lived in the area for a long time and they have seen the problems associated with The Starlight Bar. “They have lived through these problems and the ups and downs of having a home close to licensed premises.”

Leeds councillor Ronald Grahame said: “There have been lots of problems there over the years. Residents there are up in arms about the antisocial behaviour.

“There are also worries over fire safety in the building, that is another cause for concern.”

Last year an application by the bar to increase the hours in which alcohol was served and music played until 3am at the weekend was refused.

No one at the bar was available for comment.