This page contains information about the Licensing Act 2003 and dealing with problem premises. If you need any help or advice about anything on this page please contact us by telephone or email. Our telephone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4:30pm. You can also offer us feedback on our service by filling out our online customer feedback form.
The Licensing Act 2003
Leeds City Council is the Licensing Authority for the Leeds district. The Licensing Authority issues premises licences which let different businesses carry out certain licensable activities:
- the sale by retail of alcohol
- the provision of regulated entertainment
- the provision of late night refreshment (hot food and drink) between 11pm and 5am.
This affects pubs, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, off licences, members only clubs, cinemas, theatres and late night takeaways.
Problems with premises and what you can do.
If you are have problems the first thing to do is to categorise the problem. This is because under the Licensing Act 2003 there are four licensing objectives and different agencies are responsible for different problems.
1) Public nuisance issues
Nuisance such as noise, odours from takeaways or light pollution should be reported to our Environmental Health Service on 0113 247 6284 during office hours.
If noise from a licensed premises is causing a nuisance to you at night we have an out of hours noise service. This is available between 8pm and 2am every evening and between 12.30pm and 2am on Saturdays and Sundays. You can ring us during these hours on 0113 240 7361.
If you have problems with litter ring our City Services Department on 0113 398 4760.
Taxis/private hire vehicles
If you have public nuisance problems with taxis or private hire vehicles (e.g. horn tooting late at night) then contact our Taxi and Private Hire Licensing section on 0113 214 3366 during office hours. You should let us know the date, time, location, company and vehicle number if possible.
2) Public safety issues
Health and Safety- Has your safety or the safety of others been put at risk on a licensed premises or as the result of licensed activity? For example was a dance floor slippery because of spillages. Was a fire escape blocked?
If so you should speak to our Health and Safety Team. Phone 0113 247 6284. If your concerns are about fire safety you should contact West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on 0113 244 0302.
3) Crime and disorder issues
If you have any problems related to vandalism, drunken behaviour, violence or drugs you should report them to West Yorkshire Police. If there is an immediate threat to your own safety you should phone 999, otherwise you should phone the police’s non emergency number on 0845 6060606.
Youths– Our Anti Social Behaviour Unit deals with all types of anti social behaviour including problems relating to youths. Call the ASB hotline on 0113 398 4701. Lines are open Monday to Thursday 07:30 to 18:00 and Friday 07:30 to 16:30. You can also email them at asbu@leeds.gov.uk
4) Harm to children issues
Under age sales of alcohol. Have you seen under age sales of alcohol taking place or do you think they may be taking place? If so you should contact either West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606 or West Yorkshire Trading Standards (WYTS) on 08454 040506. WYTS are also responsible for enforcing other age restricted products such as tobacco, fireworks, solvents, videos, computer games, and lottery tickets.
Adult entertainment –Some entertainment which takes place on licensed premises may be unsuitable for children. If you see children being exposed to unsuitable entertainment (e.g. entertainment of a sexual or violent nature) you should report this to the police on 0845 6060606 or if there is an immediate threat to a child’s well being or safety because of the situation you should dial 999. If you are able to identify a specific named child then you should also contact our Social Services Department of on 0113 398 4702.
If you experience problems with a licensed premises please follow these four steps
1. Talk to the licensee or brewery
Our experience shows that early communication with licence holders means problems can be sorted out quickly. We are encouraging all licence holders to listen to the concerns of local residents. In turn we would encourage you to first inform the licence holder so they are aware of the problem. This approach is favoured by the new Act. Try and give the licence holder as much detail as possible, e.g. if it is a noise complaint, the days, times and type of noise that is the problem.
2. Monitor the situation
Once you have spoken to the licensee wait to see if things improve. Keep a diary of the dates when the problem occurs.
3. Report the problem
If there is still no improvement make contact with the relevant agency and report the problem. Try and give the agency as much detail as possible referring to your diary.
4.
Contact the Licensing Authority
If you still unhappy then contact the Entertainment Licensing Section. You may ask for a review of the licence. This is a formal process which is explained in the attached guidance note which can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page.