Otley Run McDonald's awaits late licence decision

McDonald's has applied for permission to remain open until midnight

A decision on whether to give a fast food outlet on the route of a notorious pub crawl permission to open till midnight is due to be made.

McDonald's has applied to serve food beyond 23:00 at its new restaurant at Headingley Central in Leeds.

The application, which was heard by councillors on Tuesday, has raised concerns from some people it might exacerbate problems on the Otley Run, which draws thousands of people at weekends.

Following the meeting, McDonald's was told it would receive a written decision on its application in five days.

The restaurant will already be allowed to open until 23:00 at the restaurant at the site of the former Wilko store, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Tuesday's meeting discussed whether to allow a "late night refreshment" licence to extend it to midnight.

Barrister Ben Williams, representing McDonald's, told the meeting: "We can well understand the strength of feeling in what has become a very unique area in Leeds.

"It's a perfectly sound application. You are dealing with an established operator."

Fast food giant McDonald's plans to open a restaurant on Otley Road in Headingley

Labour councillor James Gibson, who chaired the hearing, said there had been violent incidents among customers at the city centre McDonald's on Lower Briggate.

He said: "Lots of people are going there intoxicated and it's leading to problems."

However, Mr Williams said CCTV, body cameras and panic buttons would be used to keep staff safe.

He added: "I don't accept that we are a magnet for problems."

The meeting heard a list of conditions had already been agreed with police and the council, including children being supervised after 21:00, checks being made to discourage loitering outside and a telephone number for the manager being made public.

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