Pub drops plans to temporarily admit Otley runners

A pub has decided to withdraw its application to temporarily amend its licence conditions to admit participants of a famous Yorkshire pub crawl.

The Golden Beam, in Headingley, Leeds, had applied for five Temporary Event Notices (TENS) allowing them to serve people taking part in the Otley Run on five consecutive Saturdays from 10 May.

The JD Wetherspoon pub is not currently allowed to permit entrance to anyone taking part in the pub crawl under the terms of its licence, however venues are permitted to apply for up to 15 TENS a year for special events.

A spokesperson for the chain said an email was sent to the licensing authority on Tuesday "requesting withdrawal" of their application.

The decision comes after the pub previously abandoned plans to apply for a permanent change to its conditions barring Otley Runners, instead suggesting it would use TENS to run a few trials.

Headingley and Hyde Park councillors Abdul Hannan and Jonathan Pryor said in a Facebook post the firm had told them of its latest decision at a recent meeting.

They said the decision meant "there will be no changes, temporary or otherwise, to the Golden Beam's license, meaning their licensing condition to not admit Otley Runners will still stand".

The Otley Run is a 19-stop pub crawl along Otley Road in Leeds and is popular with students who often wear fancy dress for what is considered a rite of passage for the thousands of them who live in the city.

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