Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Yates.

The following substitution was noted:-

Councillor Moss for Councillor Yates

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That the Item on Part II of the Agenda be taken in public, but the information contained therein remain private.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding the renewal application for a Sex Establishment Licence for a Sexual Entertainment Venue for Players, Gentlemen’s Club, 57 High Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1SY.

The Legal Advisor to the Committee outlined the order of considerations to be made, dealing with early objections received and to consider and determine the application.

The Chairman requested those persons participating in the hearing to identify themselves, this included the Members of the Committee, the Head of Democratic Services, the Legal Advisor, the Committee Clerk, the applicant and his representatives and those making representations who wished to speak.

The Head of Democratic Services introduced his report, highlighting the fact that due to a mistake with the original Notice, the application was re-advertised for a further 28 days.  The 107 objections received were in response to the first Notice and, therefore, are early objections in relation to this application. He sought the Committee’s agreement to accept them as such. The applicant had no objection to the recommended course of action. The Committee agreed to accept the early objections for consideration.

He outlined the mandatory and discretionary grounds for refusal. He indicated that the premises had operated since 2007, prior to amendments to legislation requiring sex establishment licences for this type of premises. He made reference to the locality, its character and uses of premises in the vicinity. He indicated that if Members were minded to grant then he would suggest that existing conditions should remain in place.

The Applicant’s representative then presented his case.  He stated that this was an established venue, having been in existence since 2007 and only operates at times when shops are closed.  He stated the frontage of the venue was very discreet and was not obvious to passers-by as well as being situated at the bottom end of the high street.  Although a number of objections had been received, he felt that in relation to the population of Maidstone, it was very low. Prior to the current legislation and licensing requirements, people had been unaware of the premises use. As a concession to the objections the applicant would be willing to remove the words, “Gentlemen’s Club”, from the signage.

He stated that there had been no breaches of the current licence, no incidents with the police and all advertising was with the prior approval of the Council.  They employ 57 staff (full and part-time) and provide a different type of premises and entertainment for a large town which has a cosmopolitan make-up.  A number of letters from local businesses supporting the renewal of the licence had been sent in, as well as Town Centre Management in support, and HSBC have recently opened next door.  With regard to locality, numbers and vicinity, he felt that the previous decision is still appropriate and they are not affected by the regeneration of the lower end of the High Street.  He informed the Committee that their decision should be based on the situation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.