THE owners of defunct radical bar the Common Place have been hit with a £2,000 fine for allowing waste to pile up on the street.
Local residents complained to the council about the rubbish at the rear entrance of the bar and restaurant on Wharf Street, which closed in April.
“Businesses in Leeds have an obligation to store and dispose of their rubbish properly."
Staff from the council’s environmental action team visited the Common Place on 6th January, and discovered around 40 black bags of waste despite the fact the bar had a large bin which was locked and empty.
Leeds magistrates found the company guilty under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act for failing to store and dispose of the waste and fined them £2,000 with costs of £1,462.
Representatives of the bar failed to attend court, and the company was found guilty in their absence.
“Businesses in Leeds have an obligation to store and dispose of their rubbish properly,” says Cllr Mark Dobson, executive member for environmental services.
“This company ignored that obligation and showed a complete disregard for local residents. As a council we take these cases very seriously and will always take action when it is required.”