Agenda item

The licensing officer reported that a special treatment licence for this premises had been granted on Monday 15 June.

The applicant reported that this was a luxurious purpose built premises.  There were no dimly lit booths.  Tesco and Travelodge had put in testimonials stating that they had no problems with the premises. Noise disturbance was not an issue with this site. Customers used the City Road entrance.  Taxis were brought to the door for customers and performers.  Customers waited inside the premises to ensure no noise disturbance. If dancers brought cars they would be escorted to their vehicles by a member of staff. This was not a residential area. This was a licence renewal.  The premises had a high standard of management.  There had been no complaints and no responsible authority objections.  There were suitable facilities for customers and dancers.

In response to questions it was noted that the deputy and general manager liaised with the dancers if there were any issues. All dancers were taken through an induction process and a meeting was held with the dancers on a monthly basis. There were four door staff to approximately 60-80 customers; one outside, two inside and one checking the booths. Bookings were reviewed weekly to ensure the correct number of door supervisors were employed. Facilities for dancers had been maintained, there was an induction held on a regular basis and dancers had stylists. The venue was for over 18s but Challenge 21 was operated. A general risk assessment was carried out every six months.  A minimum of two door supervisors were employed. The applicants had applied for a new licence for a similar venue in Twickenham.  Twickenham had a nil policy and the licence had not been granted.  It was noted that there was a trained masseuse on the premises, registered with the Authority.  She wore a uniform and it was quite clear that she acted as a masseuse and was not a dancer.

RESOLVED

a)       That the application for the renewal of a sex establishment licence in respect of For Your Eyes Only, 23 City Road, EC1Y 1AG be granted.

b)       That the conditions of the previous licence shall be applied to the licence.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Sub-Committee considered the written and oral submissions put forward by the applicant. The Sub-Committee heard evidence that the premises were a purpose built venue. The Sub-Committee noted that the licensing authority had not received any complaints about the venue and the police had not made any representations.  Performers were escorted to car or a taxi and customers also remain in the venue whilst awaiting taxis to minimise disturbance.  The Sub-Committee noted the letters from Tesco and the nearby Travelodge in support. The Sub-Committee noted that at busy periods four SIA staff were employed, one of whom specifically patrols the private booths. The Sub-Committee heard evidence that, as well as weekly risk assessments, a general risk assessment was undertaken every six months. The Sub-Committee noted that the masseuse employed at the premises was qualified and registered with the Authority and completely separate from the performers.

The Sub-Committee was satisfied, that in accordance with the Authority’s policy, the applicant demonstrated high standards of management, a management structure capable of operating the venue and the ability to adhere to the standard conditions for sex establishments.

The Sub-Committee noted that the objection was made in relation to the renewal application for a special treatment licence which came before the Licensing Regulatory Committee on the 15 June 2015 and was granted.

The Sub-Committee considered that it was appropriate to attach the authority’s standard conditions for sexual entertainment venues and the previously agreed additional condition, to the grant of the licence.