Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report regarding an application for the renewal of a Sex Establishment Licence for Whiskey Down, First & Second Floors, 25 Crown Street, Leeds LS2 7DA

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory presented an application for renewal of a Sex Establishment Licence for Whiskey Down, First & Second Floors, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA

The Licensing Officer presented the application.  The licence was to cover the first and second floors of the building and the hours of operation were from 22:00 to 04:00 on Sunday to Thursday and 22:00 to 05:00 on Friday and Saturday.

The applicant had not provided any examples of advertising materials and as such, should the licence be granted then only previously approved advertising materials could be used.

Although there had not been any representations made in response to the application, the Sub-Committee was legally required to determine the application.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  The application was a renewal and the premises had been operating as a Sexual Entertainment Establishment for three years.  The application had been renewed for the two previous years.

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, the following was discussed:

·  The club had an equal opportunities policy throughout which applied to employees.  The club also catered for male and female employees.

·  The club had been originally described as a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ following previous advice from the Licensing Sub-Committee and not at the request of the applicant.

·  The applicant was willing to amend policy documents to refer to ‘performers’ as opposed to ‘girls’.  Also with respect to customers, amendments would be made to refer to ‘they’ rather than ‘he’.

·  With regards to details outlined in the staff conduct documents, it was not known why there was information relating to staff fines.  The applicant was willing to remove information relating to fining of staff.

·  Details of training for bar staff and performing staff were explained.

·  Advertising on Twitter was restricted to adults and conformed to social media standards.  Any advertising material on social media had to be searched for.

·  Advertising would duplicate what had been agreed in the previous year.

·  The premises were currently closed.  The applicant was considering a change of operation style to a burlesque lounge.

Following an adjournment and further questions from the Sub-Committee, the applicant’s representative confirmed that they would be happy to review social media content so that it was more in keeping with any printed advertising material.  The clubs policy documents would also be revised to remove any references to fining of staff and be more gender neutral in reference to both customers and staff.  The training documents would also be reviewed and be more detailed.

The Licensing Sub-Committee carefully considered the application, the report and the representations made at the hearing.

RESOLVED – That the application for renewal be granted as applied for.