Levi Solicitors successfully secured a new licence for Blayds Bar in Leeds’ challenging ‘Red Zone’.
- The ‘Red Zone’ is an area where new licences are typically denied due to safety and order concerns.
- A lapse in the previous licence, caused by administrative changes, placed Blayds Bar at risk of closure.
- Community support played a vital role with a petition gaining almost 3,000 signatures.
- Leeds City Council granted the licence, recognising the bar’s positive community impact.
Levi Solicitors has achieved a significant legal victory by securing a new premises licence for Blayds Bar, a well-known LGBTQ+ establishment located in Leeds’ ‘Red Zone’. This area is renowned for its stringent licensing conditions due to concerns over public safety and order, often resulting in rejections for new applications.
The necessity for a new licence emerged following the lapse of Blayds Bar’s previous licence. The lapse was due to administrative challenges linked to the death of the owner Duncan McCallum’s husband, causing complications that could have led to the bar’s closure. To continue operations legally, the bar had been relying on temporary event notices.
A robust community backing was fundamental to this venture, with around 30 supporters present and a substantial petition of nearly 3,000 signatures advocating for the bar’s cause. Such overwhelming support underscored Blayds Bar’s significance within the local community, enhancing its case at the licensing hearing.
Leeds City Council, convinced by the bar’s impeccable community service and the owner’s commendable record, granted the new premises licence. Ed Smith, a partner at Levi Solicitors, played a crucial role in representing Blayds Bar during the proceedings. Ed Smith expressed his satisfaction, noting the widespread support for Blayds Bar and affirming that the Committee’s decision was justified. “I am delighted to have supported Duncan and Blayds in this application… I’m proud to have been involved with the project and look forward to seeing Blayds go from strength to strength,” he said.
The successful licence application marks an important milestone for Blayds Bar, ensuring its continued operation and contribution to Leeds’ nightlife.
