Pub ponders licence change to join famous crawl

The Golden Beam is not currently allowed to welcome Otley Run participants

A pub is considering applying to change its licence so it can become part of a famous Yorkshire pub crawl.

The Golden Beam, a JD Wetherspoon pub in Headingley, Leeds, is not currently allowed to permit entrance to anyone on the Otley Run.

A company spokesperson said it would be better to accommodate participants rather than turn them away.

The plans will be discussed at a public meeting at the pub on Monday evening.

According to its website, the Otley Run began in 1964 and today lists up to 19 stop-off points, depending on the exact route taken along the 2.5-mile (4km) stretch of Otley Road.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesman said the Golden Beam currently had "to deal with turning away a large number of people".

"It is felt that it would be better to accommodate them in the pub," they added.

"The pub is large, is fully covered by CCTV, has extensive toilet facilities, has no music and offers a full menu until the late evening."

The plans had been shared with local ward councillors, police and Leeds City Council's licensing team, the spokesperson added.

An application has yet to be made.

A spokesperson for the local authority said any request for a change of licensing conditions "will be considered following the standard processes by the council's licensing committee".

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