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.
Tell me about the Licensing Act 2003
Under the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”) Leeds City Council is the licensing authority for the Leeds district. The licensing authority issues premises licences which allow many types of business to carry out certain licensable activities:
- 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 affect pubs, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, off licences, members only clubs, cinemas, theatres and late night takeaways to name just a few.
If you experience problems with a licensed premises please follow the four step procedure
1. Talk to the licensee/brewery
Our experience shows that early communication with licence holder can achieve a swift resolution to any problems. While we appreciate some people may not favour this option, 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 Act. Try to give the licence holder as much detail as possible, e,g, if it a noise complaint provide the days, times and type of noise that is the problem.
2. Monitor the situation
Once you’ve spoken to the licensee wait to see if things improve. Keep a diary of the dates and times when problems occur.
3. Report the problem
If there is still no improvement make contact with the relevant agency (see below) and report the problem. Try to give the agency as much detail as possible, referring to your diary.
4. Contact the Licensing Authority
If you still remain unsatisfied contact us. We will handle your complaint confidentially, and will speak to the premises on your behalf.
If this doesn't work, you may request a review of the licence. This is a formal process which is explained in a separate guidance note and the form can be found on this page. However, we would strongly recommend that you talk to us before submitting your application, as the process is open and your details will not be kept confidential. If you are concerned about reprisals we may be able to assist by handling the situation confidentially as a complaint.
What should I do first?
If you are experiencing problems, the first thing to do is to categorise the problem. Under the Act there are four licensing objectives which form the basis of the Act. In addition there are various agencies which have responsibility for certain licensing objectives as follows:
Crime and Disorder Issues
Vandalism, drunken behaviour, violence, drugs — if you experience any of the above then you should report your concerns to West Yorkshire Police. If there is an immediate threat to your 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 222 4402. Lines are open Monday to Thursday 07:30 to 18:00 and Friday 07:30 to 16:30. You can email them at asbu@leeds.gov.uk
Public safety issues
Health and safety — has your safety or the safety of others been endangered on a licensed premises or as the result of licensed activity? For example, was a dance floor slippery because of spillages? Was the fire escape blocked? If so you should speak to our Health and Safety team on 0113 247 7791 or by email at env.health@leeds.gov.uk.
If your concerns are centred around fire safety you should direct your complaint to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on 0113 290 4800 or 0845 155 0595 or by email at leeds.district@westyorksfire.gov.uk
Planning — our Planning Service will investigate whether there is a breach of planning regulations and will establish what harm is caused as a result of the breach and how the situation can be best remedied. You should report your planning concerns to the Compliance Service on 0113 222 4409. You can email on planning.enforcement@leeds.gov.uk
Public Nuisance Issues
Nuisance — nuisance such as noise, odours from takeaways or light pollution should be reported to our Health and Environmental Action Service on 0113 222 4406 during office hours.
If noise from a licensed premises is causing you a nuisance to you at night Health and Environmental Action Service operate an out of hours service. This is available from 8pm to 2am Sunday to Thursday and 8pm to 3am on Friday and Saturdays. This service can be contacted on 0113 242 5841 or 0845 124 0113 or by email at env.health@leeds.gov.uk
Problems relating to litter should be addressed to our Health and Environmental Action Service Environmental Action team on 0845 124 0113 or by email at env.health@leeds.gov.uk
Taxis and private hire vehicles — if you are experiencing noise from 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. Complaints about taxi or private hire vehicles should include the date, time, location, company and vehicle number if possible. You can also email them on taxiprivatehire.licensing@leeds.gov.uk
Protection of children of harm
Underage sales of alcohol — have you seen or do you suspect under age sales of alcohol are taking place. If so you should contact either West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606 or West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) via Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506. WYTSS are also responsible for enforcing other age restricted products such as tobacco, fireworks, solvents, videos, computer games and lottery tickets.
Adult entertainment — Some entertainment that 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.
If there is an immediate threat to a child’s wellbeing or safety you should dial 999. In addition if you are able to identify a specific named child then you should also contact Children and Young People’s Social Care on 0113 222 4403.
Useful contacts
West Yorkshire Police
www.westyorkshire.police.uk
0845 6060606
West Yorkshire Trading Standards
www.ts.wyjs.org.uk
0113 253 0241
Safer Leeds Partnership
www.saferleeds.org.uk
0113 395 0821
The Safer Leeds Partnership is a multi agency forum which seeks to secure sustainable reductions in crime and disorder and to address fear of crime in the Leeds district.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
www.westyorksfire.gov.uk
0845 155 0595
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
www.culture.gov.uk
The DCMS is the department of central government with overall responsibility for alcohol and entertainment licensing in the UK. The website contains detailed information about the Licensing Act 2003 as well as the powers available to residents and local businesses living in the vicinity of licensed premises.