Headingley Network - Latest News

- Latest News November 2001

DEMONSTRATION AT 'THE BOX'

12th November

It is nearly six months since Headingley Network, the community association for central Headingley failed in their Crown Court bid to stop another pub opening in the centre of Headingley. When the Judge awarded Ł2500 in costs against them it looked a very bleak day for the community. But the response has been overwhelming. People of all ages and backgrounds have been sending cheques and postal orders in answer to an appeal from the association. There was a hugely successful ‘Celebrate Headingley’ event in September which raised about Ł1500. The Methodist Church even donated one of their collections to the cause!

Chair of Headingley Network, Lesley Jeffries, said ‘Very far from sounding the death knell of a community, this experience has been the making of us. The Network’s membership is rising as never before; people are starting all sorts of new initiatives, such as developing Home Zones in the streets where they live and there is a new determination not to let our area turn into a mini-city centre with no amenities for families or long-term residents.’

On Saturday 17^th November, members and supporters of the Network will gather defiantly outside the newly named ‘Box’ pub with the money they have collected – Ł2500 plus the Ł1000 of the Network’s costs – plus more than Ł1000 surplus. Richard Crossley, Treasurer of the Association, said ‘The money started to come in as soon as the court case was over, and it has only just stopped. We have been very moved by the support we have received. Many of the letters accompanying the money were from pensioners and others with little to spare. We will make sure we use the surplus wisely, to the benefit of Headingley.’

Today (Saturday 17^th November) over 50 residents of Headingley gathered outside the new pub in White Rose House waving Ł10 and Ł20 notes as a symbol of the money they are requireed to pay to the owners, Associated Tower Cinemas.

Last June Headingley Network were unable to overturn the award of an alcohol licence to open another pub in an already over-crowded market that is threatening to turn Headingley into another city-centre with all the problems of anti-social behaviour and crime that alcohol over-consumption brings. The judge and magistrates supported the application and decided that in addition to paying the social costs, the community should also pay Ł2500 toward the court costs of the licensees.

Donations came in thick and fast from many supporters as well as the hugely successful ‘Celebrate Headingley’ event in September. Chair of the Association, Lesley Jeffries, said ‘We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of anger from the community about this development and the lack of power we feel to protect our environment. We challenge Associated Tower Cinemas to donate this money to a local charity of our choice. They do not need it and stand to make thousands more pounds from the new pub. This money has been donated and worked for by local people, many of whom can ill afford it. We will be taking the cheque in to the Magistrates on Monday.’


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