Leamington lap-dancing club's new 'sex licence' bid

[dutchman]

Shades nightclub in Leamington Old Town is trying again to get permission for a 'sex establishment licence'.



Last June the former lap-dancing venue was refused permission for the licence by Warwick District Council - citing the possible negative effect it could have on the area.

Under the Policing and Crime Act 2009, which was adopted by the council a year later, all premises such as Shades were re-classed as 'sexual entertainment venues' and had to apply for the new licence.

Having failed it to secure it they are now only permitted to provide 'adult entertainment' 11 times a year and no more than once per month.

Under the act no business is allowed to re-apply for a licence within a year but a fortnight ago bosses of Shades did file a new application.

A council licensing spokesman explained: “They believe there to be a possible loophole in so far as an individual can re-apply, rather than the business, and the council will have to decide if that is permitted.

“At this stage any representations on the application can be sent to the council but a date has not yet been set for a hearing.”

The application is sure to attract further opposition, the like of which has dogged Shades ever since it opened in March 2008.

Leamington mayor Alan Wilkinson, also a town councillor, told The Observer: “I am disappointed another application has gone in.

“It would really bring the down the tone of an area we are trying to clear up.”

Roger Copping, a long-standing critic of the venue, said it had always been unpopular with many business owners and residents in the area.

Shades was approached for comment but has not responded.

[dutchman]

Old Town pole dancing club refused sex entertainment licence

THE owners of a Leamington nightclub say they are “disappointed” after it was refused a sex entertainment licence for a second time.

Shades company secretary Lisa Ransford had applied for a licence to allow pole dancing at the Wise Street club after a previous application by the club was turned down last June.

Warwick District Council’s regulatory committee today (Thursday March 15) turned down the application on the grounds that it was in a residential area and because of its proximity to Leamington’s Hindu temple.

The club had offered to reduce its opening times, remove signs and close on nights on which the temple would be open.

But objectors had said allowing the club to operate would give the area a “sleazy” atmosphere and sweep away work to regenerate the area.

Cllr Norman Pratt said the decision had not been easy, but the committee had “significant” concerns about whether the club would be appropriate to the character of the area.

Owner Robert Ransford said he was “disappointed” by the outcome.