Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application made under Section 2; Schedule 3; of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 by Ruby May (2) Limited, Unit 40, Friar House, Low Friar Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, for the renewal of a sex establishment licence for the premises known as Purple Door, 5 York Place Leeds LS1 2DR. The first and second floors are to be covered under the provisions of the licence. The application includes the external appearance of the premises and all advertising material used to promote the business. The current licence was renewed for a period of 12 months, expiring on the 30^th September 2017.

Please note: Appendix B is exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1, 2 & 3)

(Report attached)

The Sub Committee considered the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application made under Section 2 and Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (the Act) for the renewal of a sex establishment  for premises known as Purple Door, 5 York Place, Leeds LS1. The application was made by Ruby May (2) Ltd. The current licence was renewed for a period of 12 months and had expired on the 30^th September 2017.

Appendix B of the report was exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rules 10.4 (1, 2 & 3). The applicant also submitted a number of operating policies for the premises as part of the application (Appendix C) and plans and photographs showing the external appearance of the premises were submitted as Appendix D of the report.

The Sub Committee noted receipt of one letter of objection from Support After Rape & Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL) attached as Appendix F to the report. No one from SARSVL attended the hearing and the Sub Committee resolved to proceed in their absence and take the written representation into account.

It was noted that no other representations had been submitted to the renewal application. Additionally, no issues had been reported about the premises had been reported during the previous 12 months.

Mr R Arnot represented the applicant at the meeting. Mr N Quadrini, and Mr C Copeland were also in attendance along with several observers.

Mr Arnot stated that ‘Purple Door’ was the longest established SEV in Leeds and had operated at this location for 20 years. He reported that no changes had been made to the premises since the previous successful annual renewal of the licence in 2016. Referring to that part of the Statement of Licensing Policy which considered the proximity of SEVs to properties with sensitive uses or in sensitive locations, Mr Arnott reported that there had been no change to the locality around the premises.

Mr Arnot then addressed the content of the letter of representation received from SARSVL to this renewal application, commenting that this was the same as the letter submitted to the renewal application made in 2016 and was a standard letter submitted by the organisation to any application for a sex establishment licence.

The Sub Committee having carefully read the application; considered the written submissions contained in the report and those made by Mr Arnot on behalf of the applicant at the hearing; alongside the Councils own Statement of Licensing Policy for Sex Establishments.

RESOLVED – To grant the renewal application as requested. To clarify:

·  The Sex Establishment Licence shall run for one year, expiring on 30^th September 2018

·  The hours of operation are 22:00 until 04:00 hours Sunday to Thursday and 22:00 until 05:00 hours Friday & Saturday

·  Approval is given to the external appearance of the premises and all advertising material used to promote the business as set out in Appendix D of the submitted report

·  The Conditions as set out in Appendix G shall be incorporated in to the Licence