Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application made under Section 2 and Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 for the grant of a sex establishment licence for premises known as Purple Door, 5 York Place, Leeds LS1, to be used as a sexual entertainment venue

PLEASE NOTE Appendix B of the report is exempt from publication under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1, 2 & 3)

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 had been made by Ruby May Holdings (2) Limited of Unit 40 Low Friar House, Low Friar Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne for premises known as `Purple Door’, 5 York Place, Leeds LS1 2DR. The basement and ground floor is to be covered under the provisions of the licence. The proposed hours of operation are 10:00hrs until 06:30hrs Monday to Saturday and 12:00 noon until 06:30 on Sundays for the premises to be used as a sexual entertainment venue.

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 32 objections, 4 of which are from elected members, and one which has been received from a member of parliament. A further objection was received from Councillor Rebecca Charlwood which was counter signed by a further 19 elected members, 8 members of parliament, 1 member of European parliament, and 4 leaders of religious groups. Members noted that four letters of support had also been submitted.  The Sub Committee noted that some of the objectors attended the hearing, but did not wish to speak. Members therefore resolved to consider the written submissions contained within the documents before them and proceed in the absence of the objectors and supporters.

Present at the hearing were

The applicant supplied additional documents in support of the application which included copies of management Policies relating to Dancers Welfare, Dancers Code of Conduct, Customers Code of Conduct, Fining Policy,  Pricing Policy andTrade Union Details.

The Sub Committee heard from Mr Whur on behalf of the applicant who outlined the licensed history of the premises and, along with submissions from Mr Gourlay who also operated the Deep Blue premises, explained the management style of the premises and the movement between the two premises by the dancers, depending on number of patrons. Mr Whur also addressed matters relating to the external appearance, layout and capacity of the premises, advertising, safety and security, staff welfare, including fining and pricing policies, codes of conduct for customers and entertainers and he confirmed that vehicles would not be used to transport customers around the city. Mr Whur referred to the written objections, commenting that many objections related to the principle of such establishments on moral grounds or were specific to other premises located elsewhere in the city.

Mr Whur concluded the submission for the applicant by reiterating that this venue, with its modest capacity, operating practices and discreet appearance would not cause offence as the daytime use of the locality finished before the venue opened.

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 Licences 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 those proceedings 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