Otley Run Wetherspoons may relax reveller ban

A pub has decided against applying to change its licence to become part of a famous Yorkshire pub crawl, councillors have said.

The Golden Beam, a JD Wetherspoon pub in Headingley, Leeds, is instead planning to welcome Otley Run participants as part of a series of "test Saturday" trial runs in November by using Temporary Event Notices (TENs).

It is not currently allowed to permit entrance to anyone on the Otley Run under the terms of its licence, but Leeds City Council said venues can apply for 15 TENs a year.

Headingley and Hyde Park councillor Abdul Hannan said he did not see the venue having trouble obtaining TENs "if it meets the criteria".

Hannan said TENs were granted by council officers, meaning a decision would not be made by a licensing committee, with members of the public able to have their views heard.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson said the trial runs would "allow us to monitor the impact of Otley run participants using the Golden Beam on our neighbours".

They added: "It will also allow us to see if, as we believe, the extensive toilet facilities at the Golden Beam and readily available food may help address some of the concerns raised about the Otley Run in general at the meeting by members of the local community."

A meeting to discuss the venue's plans will be held at the Golden Beam on 30 September.

Jonathan Pryor, who also represents the Headingley and Hyde Park ward on Leeds City Council, said: "It seems like they are wanting to let Otley Runners in on key dates when big events might be on."

Pryor said venues normally apply for TENs for big sporting and cultural events, such as Leeds Pride.

"I'd imagine Wetherspoons would save one for freshers week."

He praised the venue for being open about its plans by holding a public meeting in June.

"We were really grateful that they were reaching out to the community to chat to people about what they thought."

Pryor said many locals told the meeting they frequented the pub because it is one of the increasingly few places that does not allow entry to participants on the 19-stop crawl.

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