York Hotel appeals licence cancellation

A notorious bar in downtown Edmonton has been given a reprieve.

The city was scheduled to cancel the York Hotel's tavern licence Tuesday due to alleged drug-dealing, over-consumption of alcohol and gang activity.

But just before the deadline on Monday, the owners of the bar filed an appeal of the licence cancellation.

"The office of the city clerk has received an appeal of that decision," said Jill Wright, who works in the city clerk's office. Wright said no final decision on the status of the licence can be made until the appeal is heard, likely in December or January.

Until then, the establishment remains open.

"We're in the process of scheduling the appeal and a number of things have to be done between now and the appeal, which is receiving and distributing the evidence to all parties," she said.

The owners of the York have repeatedly refused to comment on the situation.