The Committee received and considered a report from the Head of Service, Public Protection which advised that an application had been submitted for a Sex Entertainment Licence to carry out the business of a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) at 4 Church Street, Ampthill. 

The Applicant’s representative and objectors attended the meeting and made representations.

The Chairman outlined the procedure to be followed.

The Chairman invited the Licensing Enforcement Officer to present the report to the Sub Committee.  The Sub Committee were advised that the Applicant Lord John Shayler had submitted an application for a Sex Entertainment Venue Licence.  The application sought the following:

Sex Entertainment Venue, to trade on the following times;

Monday          1900 – 03.30

Tuesday         19.00 – 00.30

Wednesday   19.00 – 00.30

Thursday        19.00 – 01.30

Friday             19.00 – 01.30

Saturday          19.00 – 01.30

Sunday -          Closed.

The Sub Committee noted that the premise is located in a small shopping parade with some residential property in the nearby surroundings.  A location map was attached to the report at Appendix B.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer advised that Mid Beds District Council granted a premises licence for the property in March 2008 for the provision of facilities for live music & recorded music, provision of facilities for making music, dancing, late night refreshment and supply of alcohol.

In presenting the report the Licensing Enforcement Officer drew attention to the number of representations received from the Responsible Authority – Police and Interested Parties, 40 of which had been rejected as not being relevant.

The Chairman invited the Sub Committee to ask questions of the Licensing Officer.

The Chairman invited the Applicant’s representative to present the case to the Sub Committee.

The application for a Sex Entertainment venue Licence was set out at Appendix A to the report. Mr Fender explained that Lord Shayler was unable to attend the meeting and therefore he was now here to present the case.  Mr Fender advised that Lord Shayler owns and manages two other similar clubs and that no reported Crime and Disorder issues associated with the venues had been reported. Lord Shayler had owned the premises at Ampthill for a number of years.

Mr Fender advised that if the licence be granted the premises would open in October 2012. Visually the premise would not alter and no advertising signage would be displayed. It would not be possible to see inside the premises from outside and nudity would not take place on the ground floor, this would be limited to the basement . Access to the premises would be at the rear via ‘The Oxlip’ and not directly onto the Market Square, therefore doors at the front would not be in use and would only be used as a means of fire escape.

Door Supervisors would be employed along with 50 dancers and 6 bar staff.

Mr Fender spoke in detail about the percentage of objectors and locality of the premises in relation to local schools, churches and Ampthill Park. In response to concerns raised, clarification was provided that many community events that take place on the market Square such as the Christmas Light switch on would not take place at a time when the premises were open.

The Chairman invited the Sub Committee to ask any questions of Mr Fender.  The Chairman asked Mr Fender to clarify the locality of one of Lord Shaylers similar premises in relation to residential amenity and shops.

The Chairman invited PC Carey to present his case.  PC Carey noted the standard conditions contained within the Central Bedfordshire Council Statement of Licensing Policy with regard to sex Establishments and reiterated that should the Committee be minded to grant the application consideration should be given to adding five conditions as set out in the Agenda at Page 57.

In response to a question from Mr Fender, PC Carey clarified that there were three Sex Entertainment venues in Bedfordshire and that he was not aware of any reported attributable crime from the establishments.

The Chairman invited Cllr P Duckett and Cllr M Smith, Ward Representatives for Ampthill to make representations.  Cllr Duckett spoke on behalf of businesses in the locality of the premises and Ampthill residents.

Cllr Duckett spoke in detail about the issue of locality of the premises. He advised that the Market Square is a Conservation Area and both a retail and residential area.  He emphasised in particular the significance of the market Square as both a gateway to Ampthill and for the hosting of community events such as the Christmas Light Switch on and being a meeting point for residents.  Therefore making the proposal entirely unsuitable in respect of locality.

Cllr Smith reiterated comments made by Cllr Duckett in relation to the unsuitability of the location of the premises.  He expressed that despite there being no planned advertising signage it would not detract from the fact that people would still be aware of what entertainment would be taking place.  He expressed concerns about the rear of the property currently being unlit at night and not within the CCTV area.  Cllr Smith concluded by urging refusal of the licence.

The Chairman invited questions.

The Chairman invited objectors to make representations.

Mr Ayee spoke about the unsuitability of the premises in terms of its locality, feeling of intimidation for local residents, dispersal of crowds exiting from the premises and emphasised that despite no advertising signage people would still be aware of the entertainment.

Mrs Douglas had submitted representations that had been rejected by the Licensing Authority on the grounds as being irrelevant, however on the grounds of fairness the Chairman permitted Mrs Douglas to speak.  Mrs Douglas commented that advertising for dancers of different sexual orientations was already a form of publicity.  Mrs Douglas commented on problems arising from having no signage.  Mrs Douglas urged that the licence be refused on behalf of all of the residents of Ampthill.

Mrs Illingworth expressed concerns regarding the control of persons exiting the premises late at night and the safety for residents.

With the permission of the Chairman, Mr Prickett was allowed to speak (Mr Prickett had not submitted representations) Mr Prickett spoke in detail about  the unsuitability of the locality in Ampthill.

Mrs M Hudson expressed concerns about the proposed licence in terms of its locality, potential disorder and feeling of intimidation for residents of all ages.  In response to Mr Fenders comments about the percentage of respondants, Mrs Hudson commented that many hadn’t replied due to a belief that this was not a serious application.

Mrs Redmond commented on a similar club that had been located in Ampthill many years ago and the associated problems in relation to Crime and Disorder.  Mrs Redmond also commented on policing issues in Ampthill.

The Chairman invited the Applicant, PC Carey and Ward Representatives to sum up their case.

The Sub Committee adjourned to deliberate upon the application.  The Managing Solicitor for Central Bedfordshire Joined the panel to provide clarification on questions.