A Leeds pub where a woman was mown down in an attempted murder has been ordered to make a huge change – despite operators saying they can’t afford it.
The future of The Cock Beck in Crossgates hangs in the balance due to the financial burden of hiring door staff, a condition imposed by the council for its reopening. The venue had its licence stripped last month following “recent incidents” – including the attempted murder of a woman in the car park.
A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a Toyota RAV4 was driven at a crowd in the pub’s car park in Pendas Way on December 7. A woman in her 50s was hospitalised with significant injuries after being hit at around 11.55pm.
A licensing hearing on Wednesday, January 8 heard this was just one of three serious crime incidents within a few weeks. Licensing officer PC Neil Haywood clarified that there was no implication that the pub operators were at fault.
This followed two incidents on November 18 and 29 where brawls broke out outside the pub. PC Haywood said: “Weapons were seen, including baseball bats and a knife.”
Other less severe incidents had been reported over the past year, with PC Haywood noting: “There are a number of incidents here. It’s only recently we have seen it escalating.” The hearing was also told there had been reports of noise nuisance and drug use linked to the premises.
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Environmental health officer Gary Mann said: “It does seem to be a pub where people get over-intoxicated.”
Police proposed new conditions on the licence, including reduced opening hours, upgraded CCTV and door staff. PC Haywood said: “There’s been positive engagement. In no way are we suggesting we have rogue operators here.”
But Bob Thompson, representing the venue, said that hiring door staff and reducing operating hours were not feasible, telling the hearing: “This pub won’t be able to operate with those two conditions.”
However, Mr Thompson acknowledged plans for improvements including enhancing CCTV, conducting staff training and bringing in a new management team. He said: “The pub isn’t known for trouble. Regardless of what you’ve heard, there’s been very few incidents.”
After deliberations, councillors agreed to a revised closing time of 11pm but insisted on trained door staff being present on weekends. The decision also came with several additional stipulations involving the layout of the outside area, prohibiting outdoor drinking past 9.30pm and a rule that no children are allowed on the premises after 9pm.
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