Agenda item

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory requests Members to consider the renewal and variation of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. The variation aspect of the application proposes to extend the terminal opening times by an additional hour each day.

This application is made by Ruby May (2) Limited for a premises to operate under the name of Purple Door, 5 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2DR.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory requested Members consideration on the renewal and variation of a sex establishment licence for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lap dancing. The variation aspect of the application proposed to extend the terminal opening times by an additional hour each day.

The report outlined that:

·  The application was made by Ruby May (2) Limited to operate under the name Purple Door;

·  The application was for the renewal of the sex establishment licence for the ground floor and basement level at the premises;

·  The current hours of operation are:

22:00hrs until 04:00hrs Sunday to Thursday

22:00hrs until 05:00hrs Friday and Saturday;

·  The proposed hours of operation:

22:00hrs until 05:00hrs Sunday to Thursday

22:00hrs until 06:00hrs Sunday to Thursday;

·  The premises have held a licence for the provision of regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol since 24^th November 2005;

·  No objections had been received from local authorities nor members of the public.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Sarah Smith, Licence Holder’s Agent

·  Nicholas Quadrini, Managing Director

·  Carl Copeland, Manager

The Licence Holder’s Agent spoke to the Sub-Committee in regard to the renewal of the licence and the variation application, informing the Members of the following points:

·  Purple Door is the longest established Sexual Entertainment venue having opened in 1998;

·  The premises have successfully renewed its licence every year since 2012;

·  There had been no change to the premises since the previous renewal, and the external appearance remained the same;

·  The welfare and protecting the safety of the dancers remained a priority;

·  There had been no changes to the locality of the area, being predominantly commercial use, with few residential buildings;

·  There had been no objections raised by local authorities nor members of the public;

·  Reduced hours had been accepted in 2012 as part of the review, and following this there had been an impact on profitability;

·  The addition of the hour sought would not have a negative impact on the surrounding area, and with 14 years’ trouble-free trading this was believed to provide historical evidence;

·  The premises was a small venue, and the maximum capacity would hold approximately 40 people;

·  Between the early hours of 4-5am, only a dozen or so people attended at this time;

·  The VIP rooms had been used from 4.30am onwards by customers, but due to the current operating hours, this did not enable customers to fulfil a full hour – this resulted in a demand from customers for the later closing time.

·  A dispersal policy ensures that the premises offer taxi services to its customers.

The Sub Committee carefully considered all of the information presented to them both within the agenda pack and information supplied at the hearing and

RESOLVED –

a)  To grant the renewal of the licence and;

b)  To refuse the addition of the extra terminal hour. Members were not persuaded to depart from the Council’s Policy and acknowledged that within the locality, the streets would be increasingly used during early hours of the morning by members of the public. Therefore, the extra hour was not granted.

(The hearing concluded at 10:50)