Agenda item

The Sub-Committee considered very carefully the application for the renewal of the sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence in For Your Eyes Only, 135-136 high street, Southampton, SO14 2BR.

The Sub-Committee gave due regard to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, statutory guidance,  and Council’s own policy where relevant, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Public Sector Equality Duty under section 149, Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights legislation.

The Sub-Committee considered representations both written and given orally at the meeting today.

The Manager, licence holder and the Director of the applicant company for the premises were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.  A local objector had raised a written objection but did not attend the meeting. The sub-committee gave full consideration to the written objection, although it was noted that just prior to the meeting Licensing Officers discovered that the objector did not live at the address provided in the objection.

The Sub-Committee noted that Hampshire Constabulary Licensing Team had not objected to the application. 

RESOLVED :That the application for the renewal of the Sexual Entertainment Venue licence be approved with all conditions remaining unchanged including the opening hours.

Reasons

The Sub-Committee carefully considered both the representations on behalf of the applicant and those raised in the objection. It was noted that the address given by the objector was discovered just before the hearing to be one in which the objector did not reside. The committee paid minimal weight to the objection as Licensing advised that the objector had given a false address. The Committee did however explore the issues raised within the letter. The Sub-Committee determined that the applicant had provided sufficient information and were impressed with the applicant’s responses to the issues raised by the Sub-Committee and objector in relation (1) to an incident in 2019, (2) overcharging customers and (3) dancers encouraging cash payments.

The sub-committee noted the excellent working relationship between Licensing officers, the applicant and police, and were impressed with the procedures and practices that have been implemented following an incident in 2019. The sub-committee is satisfied that the premises are well run and compliant with all conditions.

The sub-committee noted that the police had not raised any objection.

The sub-committee was satisfied that the licence could properly be renewed.