Horsforth Hive Bar Licence: Reduced Hours Approved

Key Points

• Bee Futures Ltd has been granted an alcohol licence for its new cafe and bar, Hive, located in the former Nawaab Khan restaurant on New Road Side in Horsforth.
• The licence came after objections from local residents concerned about noise and anti-social behaviour from late-night serving hours.
• Initial application proposed midnight last orders on weekends and 11pm on weekdays, but hours were reduced to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday and 11pm Thursday to Saturday.
• Leeds City Council approved the premises licence with conditions, including reduced hours and a ban on loud music.
• Eleven letters of objection were submitted, alongside ten letters in support.
• Chris Rees-Gay, representing the venue, stated: “We are part of the community. We have listened and reduced our hours accordingly.”
• Miriam Browne, a nearby resident, expressed concerns: “They have bedrooms that face onto the premises. It absolutely will cause increased noise. It will cause increased disturbance. We are families and we have to get up and go to work every day.”
• Horsforth Labour councillor Emmie Bromley supported residents and called for further hour reductions: “I would ideally like to see that even more restricted.”
• A separate planning application for change of use was submitted in December, as reported by West Leeds Dispatch.
• The planning statement outlined Hive operating as a cafe by day and bar in the afternoon and evening, with a five-year lease and £140,000 investment planned.

Horsforth (The Leeds Times) February 4, 2026 – Bee Futures Ltd has secured an alcohol licence for its new cafe and bar, Hive, in the former Nawaab Khan restaurant on New Road Side, after agreeing to significantly reduced serving hours in response to local objections. Leeds City Council granted the premises licence following a licensing sub-committee hearing, limiting alcohol sales to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 11pm from Thursday to Saturday, down from the originally proposed midnight on weekends and 11pm on weekdays. The decision balances community concerns over noise with support for the venue’s community-oriented vision.

What Triggered the Licence Objections?

Residents near the proposed Hive venue raised strong fears about potential disturbances from late-night operations. As detailed in coverage by

the Leeds Times, eleven letters of objection were received by Leeds City Council, highlighting worries over noise and anti-social behaviour if last orders extended to midnight at weekends. Ten letters also came in support, praising the potential economic and social benefits of the new establishment.​

Miriam Browne, a local resident, voiced particular concerns during the licensing sub-committee hearing. She told councillors:

“They have bedrooms that face onto the premises. It absolutely will cause increased noise. It will cause increased disturbance. We are families and we have to get up and go to work every day.”

Her statement underscored the family-oriented nature of the neighbourhood, where early mornings are the norm.​

Horsforth Labour councillor Emmie Bromley also intervened on behalf of householders. She said:

“I would ideally like to see that even more restricted,”

advocating for tighter controls beyond the compromises already proposed. Councillors noted these inputs but ultimately approved the licence with safeguards.​

How Did Bee Futures Ltd Respond to Concerns?

The applicant demonstrated willingness to engage with the community throughout the process. Chris Rees-Gay, representing Bee Futures Ltd and the Hive venue, addressed the licensing sub-committee directly. He told councillors:

“We are part of the community. We have listened and reduced our hours accordingly.”

This concession addressed the core objections by curtailing the latest serving times.​

The reductions—10pm closing Sunday to Wednesday and 11pm Thursday to Saturday—were pivotal in swaying the decision. Councillors imposed additional conditions, such as no loud music, to further mitigate noise risks. These measures reflect a pragmatic approach, ensuring Hive can operate while respecting residential sensitivities.​

Supporters argued the venue would enhance Horsforth’s vibrancy without undue disruption. The ten supportive letters emphasised Hive’s daytime cafe role and its potential to draw positive footfall to New Road Side.​

What Conditions Attached to the Licence?

Leeds City Council’s approval was not unconditional, prioritising public safety and amenity. The premises licence includes the reduced hours as a cornerstone, alongside a prohibition on loud music to prevent sound carry into nearby homes. These stipulations were crafted by the licensing sub-committee after weighing evidence from all parties.​

The council’s process followed standard protocols for such applications, involving public consultation and hearings. No amplified music or events likely to generate excessive noise are permitted, safeguarding the quiet of the residential area. Bee Futures Ltd must comply fully, with potential revocation for breaches.​

This outcome aligns with broader Leeds licensing trends, where community input often shapes final terms. Councillors balanced economic regeneration against resident wellbeing, a common tension in suburban venue approvals.​

What Is Hive’s Planned Operation?

Hive aims to serve dual purposes, functioning as a cafe during daylight hours and transitioning to a bar in the afternoons and evenings. As reported by West Leeds Dispatch (WLD) in December, a separate planning application for change of use has been submitted to Leeds City Council for consideration.

The planning statement details this hybrid model, positioning Hive as a versatile community space.​

Bee Futures Ltd has secured a five-year lease on the former Nawaab Khan restaurant building. The company plans to invest £140,000 in renovations and setup, signalling commitment to long-term viability. This financial backing was highlighted in the planning documents as evidence of serious intent.​

The venue’s location on New Road Side places it in Horsforth’s bustling commercial heart, near shops and amenities. Daytime operations focus on coffee and light meals, while evening bar service offers drinks in a relaxed setting—now bounded by the new hours.​

Why Is the Planning Application Separate?

Licensing and planning are distinct regulatory paths in the UK. The alcohol licence governs sales and operations, while the change-of-use application addresses the building’s conversion from restaurant to cafe-bar. As noted by WLD, the planning submission followed initial community feedback, ensuring alignment with local development plans.​

Leeds City Council will deliberate the planning application independently, considering factors like traffic, design, and heritage impacts. Approval is pending, but the licence success bodes well, provided conditions harmonise.​

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

Bee Futures Ltd leads the project as the operating company. Chris Rees-Gay served as their advocate at the hearing, articulating the community-focused ethos. Miriam Browne represented objectors, emphasising family impacts.​

Councillor Emmie Bromley, Horsforth Labour representative, championed residents’ views. The licensing sub-committee, comprising Leeds City Council members, made the final call after impartial review.​

West Leeds Dispatch provided early coverage of the planning angle, with their December report linking the licence bid to broader redevelopment.​

What Does This Mean for Horsforth Residents?

The approval injects cautious optimism into New Road Side’s economy. Hive promises jobs, footfall, and a new social hub, tempered by restrictions addressing noise fears. Residents like Miriam Browne may monitor compliance closely, but the compromises suggest mutual accommodation.​

Horsforth, a leafy Leeds suburb, values its village feel amid growth pressures. This case exemplifies how local governance mediates such tensions, fostering venues that enhance rather than erode community life.​

How Does This Fit Leeds Licensing Trends?

Leeds City Council handles numerous such applications yearly, often refining hours based on locale. Suburban Horsforth’s residential density prompted stricter terms than urban spots might see. Similar cases, like recent Holbeck or Middleton approvals, show patterns of condition-laden grants.​

The inverted pyramid of this decision—who, what, when, where, why, how—mirrors journalistic standards, prioritising facts for public clarity. Bee Futures Ltd’s responsiveness sets a positive precedent.​

Broader Community Impact?

Hive’s £140,000 investment could revitalise the ex-Nawaab Khan site, vacant post its restaurant days. Supporters see it boosting local trade, while objectors’ voices ensure accountability. Ongoing planning review will shape the full picture.​

As Horsforth evolves, such stories highlight democracy in action: residents speak, councillors deliberate, businesses adapt. This licence, with its reduced hours, embodies that balance.