By: 18 October 2024
Levi Solicitors secures new premises licence for Blayds Bar in Leeds’s challenging ‘Red Zone’

Levi Solicitors has successfully represented Blayds Bar, a popular LGBTQ+ venue in Leeds, in securing a new premises licence despite its location in the city’s Cumulative Impact ‘Red Zone’.  

This area, considered by Leeds City Council to be saturated with licensed venues, typically denies new licence applications to prevent adverse effects on public safety and order. 

The bar is located in a part of the city known as the ‘Red Zone’, which Leeds City Council considers to be ‘saturated’ with licensed bars. Typically, new licences are not allowed due to concerns about public safety and order. 

The need for a new licence arose after the bar’s previous licence lapsed due to administrative changes following the death of owner Duncan McCallum’s husband. Blayds Bar, a fixture in Leeds’ LGBTQ+ nightlife for over 18 years, faced closure without it and had been operating under temporary event notices. 

At the recent hearing, the team from Levi Solicitors represented the bar, supported by about 30 people and a petition with almost 3,000 signatures. The council granted the licence, impressed by Blayds Bar’s positive impact on the community and Duncan’s good track record as a bar owner. 

Ed Smith, a partner at Levi Solicitors specialising in dispute resolution and licensing matters, assisted Blayds Bar in applying and represented them at the hearing. 

Ed commented, “I am delighted to have supported Duncan and Blayds in this application. It is clear from the amount of support that Blayds has received and Duncan’s impeccable record as an operator that the Committee have made the right decision. I’m proud to have been involved with the project and look forward to seeing Blayds go from strength to strength.” 

Image: By Chemical Engineer – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Josie Miller
Josie Miller is Editor of Yorkshire Legal News. She welcomes comments and questions.