Plans to open a McDonald’s in Headingley will pour “fuel on the fire” of rowdy behaviour linked to the area’s famous Otley Run pub crawl, a local MP has claimed. Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds North West, said “drunk congregations” and an atmosphere of “intimidation” could form around the fast food restaurant, if it’s allowed to open.
McDonald’s has applied for permission to open up a new branch in Headingley’s old HSBC bank on Otley Road, which has been empty for over five years. The fast food giant insists the impact on the surrounding area will be “minimal” and has promised to tackle any anti-social behaviour that occurs.
But 43 people have objected to the plans, including Mr Sobel, the deputy leader of Leeds City Council and other local Labour councillors. It follows concerns raised earlier this year around a rise in anti-social behaviour linked the Otley Run pub crawl, which stretches across Headingley and Hyde Park and takes in about 15 pubs.
