Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration of an application made under section 2 and schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (the Act) for the grant of a sex establishment licence to premises known as `Wildcats’ 153/155 The Headrow,

Leeds 1, to be used as a sexual entertainment venue.

(Report attached)

The Licensing Sub Committee considered the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application made under Section 2 (Schedule 3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 for the grant of a sex establishment licence. The application is made by Harjen Limited c/o of Henton and Co. LLP, St. Andrews House, St. Andrews Street, Leeds LS3 1LF for the premises known as `Wildcats’, 153/155 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 5RB. The basement, ground and first floors are to be covered under the provisions of the licence with proposed hours of operation are 00:00 until 00:59 (24hours) seven days per week.

Appendix B of the report was exempt from publication under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1, 2 & 3), and Regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearing Regulations 2005) however the Sub Committee resolved not to specifically discuss the exempt information to allow the hearing to be held in public.

The application attracted a total of 34 objections, 4 of which were from elected members plus one received from a member of parliament. A further objection was received from Councillor Rebecca Charlwood which had been counter signed by 19 elected members, 8 members of parliament, 1 member of the European Parliament, and 4 leaders of religious groups. 4 letters of support were also submitted. Not all of the objectors attended the hearing and the Sub Committee resolved to consider their written submissions in their absence and proceed with the hearing.

Present at the hearing were

The Sub Committee heard from Mr Whur on behalf of the applicant who addressed the licensed history of the premises and the experience of the management team, noting that another Wildcats venue was established in Harrogate. Mr Whur addressed the following points:

• the capacity and layout of the venue over 3 floors
• the fact that the venue benefited from planning permission for use as a lap dancing club
• the Policies submitted with the application and commented in particular on the security measures deployed including the CCTV system which was monitored by the receptionist, SIA registered door staff and supervision. He noted that the Harrogate venue had installed panic buttons, but that this had not been suggested for Leeds
• a smoking area specifically for use by the dancers was available
• the external appearance of the venue. Mr Whur reported the applicant had undertaken to remove the logo currently employed, if the Sub Committee required this
• Mr Etchells then addressed the information contained within his written submission on behalf of the applicant.

In discussions with the Sub Committee, Mr Whur and the applicant confirmed the following

• The venue was not open during daytime hours
• Promotion staff were encouraged to de-litter any flyers left in the areas they covered – such as around St Johns Centre/Park Row

• Fridays and Saturdays were the busiest times with up to 300 patrons

The Sub Committee then heard from Ms S McNeil who had submitted an objection to the application and attended the hearing on behalf of Justice For Women and several other objectors. Ms McNeil addressed her concerns regarding the dancers’ welfare and the impact that licensing this type of venue would have on the objectification of women and on the image of Leeds.

In conclusion, Mr Whur reiterated the good management record of the premises and that the external appearance of the premises would be addressed

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of both the written and verbal submissions

b)  To note that the application will be further deliberated on Friday 15^thJune 2012 – once all applications for the new Sex Establishment Licence to be issued under the terms of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982 (as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2009) had been dealt  with. The press and public will be excluded from the proceedings where Members deliberate the application as it is in the public interest to allow the Members to have full and frank debate on the matter, as allowed under the provisions of the Licensing Procedure Rules. It was further noted that the decision of the sub committee would be made public at the end of the decision making process.