Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application for the renewal of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. The application is made by Tokyo Industries (Lincoln York Hull) Limited, for premises to operate under the name of Whiskey Down, located at 25 Crown Street, Leeds LS2 7DA.

Please note Appendix C is designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1, 2 and 3)

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration presented an application for the renewal of a Sex Establishment Licence at Whiskey Down, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA.

The Licensing Officer presented the application and gave a brief summary of the renewal history of the premises along with the hours of operation. There had been a number of objections to the application, from the following:

·  Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL)

·  The Leeds Civic Trust Planning Committee

·  An Out of Locality Contributor

The following were in attendance on behalf of the applicant:

-  Mr P Whur, Woods Whur 2014 Limited

-  Mr J Lawson, Woods Whur 2014 Limited

-  Mr Aaron Mellor, Whiskey Down

-  Mr Paul Sinclair, Whiskey Down

Before the meeting started, Mr Whur applied to the Sub-Committee to request they consider additional information including a number of photographs of the establishment and copies of promotional marketing material intended to be used over the coming months. The Sub Committee resolved to accept these additional items.

Mr Whur noted that there were no objectors present at the meeting; he also noted that this application had only attracted 3 objections in comparison with the original application for a Sex Establishment Licence which had attracted 77 objections. Mr Whur addressed each of the mandatory and discretionary grounds for refusal of the application and suggested that none were relevant to this application.

Mr Whur highlighted the request to remove Condition No.60 of the original licence, which required a member of door staff to be employed during hours of operation. Mr Whur referred to the photographs provided to Members, which show the CCTV system installed at the venue. He stated that the CCTV system provided a greater view of surrounding areas than door staff, and that the member of door staff was not a useful resource to the premises. Whiskey Down had also provided CCTV footage to West Yorkshire Police to assist with enquires in the surrounding areas when necessary.

During discussion of the marketing material, Members made particular reference to the boxing glove image used, and suggested it could be associated with domestic violence, and therefore requested for this image to be replaced by a generic photograph of the venue. Mr Mellor confirmed that female orientated events were held at the venue, however the material provided was only reflective of the activities taking place over the coming months. Those in attendance on behalf of the applicant agreed to amend the marketing material as requested.

Members carefully considered the application, with particular regard for equality and diversity, and

RESOLVED – That the application be granted as applied for.

Promotional Materials – Generic photograph of the premises to be utilised for Event Passes (document P12 of the pack)