The Golden Beam Wetherspoons pub, which was previously denied permission to join the popular Otley Run bar crawl in Leeds, has applied for a late license to extend its opening hours. The pub, which currently operates until 10:30 PM on weekdays and midnight on Friday and Saturday, is seeking to serve drinks until midnight on Sunday to Thursday and until 1:30 AM on weekends. Leeds City Council will consider the application at a hearing on January 20th, with 22 objections made by nearby residents and Headingley and Hyde Park councillor Tim Goodall. Goodall expressed concerns that allowing the pub to open later would lead to increased alcohol consumption and a higher rate of drunk and disorderly crime. However, the pub previously served Otley Runners across five consecutive Saturdays in September and October using a Temporary Event Notice (TEN), and the Otley Run attracts thousands of participants every year. The council will have the option to grant or refuse the application, or allow it with additional conditions. The decision will spark debate, as some may argue that the pub's extended hours could lead to more anti-social behavior, while others may see it as a way to boost the local economy and provide more entertainment options for residents.
