Wetherspoons 'undoing promise' over pub crawl

The Golden Beam was given permission to let Otley Runners in across five consecutive Saturdays in September and October

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has been accused of "undoing a promise" after seeking to overturn a ban on admitting Otley Runners into one of its premises.

The Golden Beam opened in Leeds in 2021 with a strict condition barring anyone taking part in the pub crawl, but earlier this week the chain applied to vary its licence in order to let them in.

Headingley and Hyde Park councillor Abdul Hannan said the proposal had caused concern for residents, adding that "allowing Otley Runners into the Wetherspoons is a very difficult thing for the area".

However, JD Wetherspoons has argued that allowing the change would "improve, rather than detract from, anti-social behaviour".

Comprised of 19 pubs, the Otley Run attracts thousands of people to Leeds every weekend.

However, the presence of large groups of drinkers, often in fancy dress, is a divisive topic in the area.

"Residents have reported assaults, fights and sexual harassment," Hannan told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Wetherspoons is a community pub, we hoped they would continue with that, but it looks like they are going to undo everything they promised us in 2020."

Wetherspoons first mooted plans to apply to relax the rules in 2024 but shelved the idea following public criticism.

It was later granted permission to let Otley Runners in across five consecutive Saturdays in September and early October as part of a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).

Hannan believes the firm used the TENs to "test the water".

"They say they can cope and manage, but we feel they will not be able to handle 5,000 people at any one time," he added.

"By the time people have come to the Wetherspoons they will have passed six pubs, can you imagine how intoxicated they will be?".

Joseph Coventry has taken part in the Otley Run but does not believe it should be added to

According to JD Wetherspoons measures used to encourage good behaviour have been included in the application and would form conditions of the licence if it is granted.

In a statement the chain said: "We will work with neighbours and other local stakeholders during the application's consultation period to answer any questions they may have."

Concerns over the Otley Run have grown in recent years.

The pub crawl is not officially classed as an organised event, with drinkers walking between the 19 stops, each of which are under separate management.

There have been calls for more policing, in particular following a crossbow attack in which two women were seriously injured in April, with suggestions that venues should pay a levy for the increased security.

People living along the route have mixed feelings about it.

"I think it is a rite of passage, but I do not think it is necessary to add [another pub] to it," Joseph Coventry said.

The 27-year-old is among the thousands of people who have taken part in the Otley Run, though now admits he "actively avoids leaving the house on a Saturday" to dodge the "chaotic" crawl.

"I have done the Otley Run as a student but as a resident it is very annoying,2 he said.

"I do not like having to queue up just to cross the road and getting stuck with loud people."

Not everyone agrees though.

One man, who asked not to be named, said he "absolutely loves" the Otley Run.

"I would be all for [adding the Golden Beam], I have done it a number of times and it would just break up the walk between The Original Oak and the Hyde Park," he said.

"If I minded [it] I would not live here.

"It is all part of the vibe of Headingley."

Diana Stockford says her family have been "threatened by drunks" on the Otley Run

Diana Stockford said both her daughter and son-in-law had been "threatened by drunks on separate occasions" and said allowing Otley Runners into the Golden Beam would "destroy" the pub's atmosphere.

Carol, who has lived in Headingley for 50 years also voiced her concerns about safety along the route if another venue was added.

The 72-year-old, who walks with a stick, said she "cannot walk on the pavement" because there are so many people dressed up and drinking, "you do not know what they are like".

"It is not nice, I try to avoid them, when you see a lot of people in funny clothes it puts you off going in.

"They are actually quite intimidating."

A consultation on the proposed change runs until 21 November.

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