Agenda and minutes

The minutes from the meeting held on 18 January 2011 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

That the persons referred to in the private part of the agenda be granted leave to address the Committee.

Councillor PM Varnsverry declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 8 as Ward Councillor and announced that she would be leaving prior to the commencement of this item.

The Chair reminded members of a forthcoming Sub-Committee hearing for Far Cotton Working Men’s Clubs on 16 March 2011 at 14:00.

The Chair also wished to thank the Committee for its support over the last two years, including those who continually volunteer for the Sub-Committees.

The Chair introduced the Committee and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Outline of the Application by the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer outlined the application by Urban Crowds Limited for a Sex Entertainment Venue Licence in respect of Urban Tiger, Wellingborough Road, Northampton and noted that there had been over 70 objections received from interested parties.  He then explained the procedure for the hearing.

Application for the Premises Licence

It was explained that the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence was a new procedure but it was confirmed that the venue had been trading with a Premises Licence for many years.  It was noted that the owner was a responsible Licence holder and that his family had been running Public Houses in the area for approximately 30 years.

It was raised that this Licensing Authority had already deemed the location of the venue as appropriate for Sexual Entertainment and therefore the appropriateness of the venue should not need to be a consideration for this Sub-Committee.

She noted the genuine concerns of the objectors but stated that generic views not specifically regarding this club were, with the greatest of respect, not relevant.  It was felt that objectors views concerning external advertising had been addressed in conditions, which only allow the club to use advertising material approved by this Licensing Authority.  The on road advertising would also be removed with immediate effect.  The issue of 'rights' was also raised, but it was requested that is the Committee take Rights into consideration that this would also apply to the applicant, the dancers and the customers who enjoy the premises.  It was noted that the Police had no objection to the application.

The Applicants witness, Aimee Albiston was confirmed as a dancer at the club for the last 2 ½ years while completing her Masters Degree at Northampton University.  As a dancer for a total of 6 years Ms Albiston noted that she chose to stay at this specific venue and commented on behalf of all of the dancers that it was a nice place to work, good environment, that staff were well looked after and were all good friends who socialised together.  She felt it was important to put across the views of the dancers, noting that they wanted to be there, felt safe and that there was a waiting list of girls trying to get into that venue.

Questions to the Applicant / Witness

The Applicants representative was asked about the types of advertising used by the venue in the past and raised an issue with advertising previously dealt with by this Licensing Authority. The possibility of the venue being used for an alternative use such as a bar or club was also raised.

The witness was requested to advise of the payment structure for the dancers, the employment basis and what affect closure of the venue would have on those dancers.  It was noted that dancers were self-employed but as many were students or single mothers, the loss if their positions may necessitate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chair to Move:

“that the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that there is likely to be disclosure to them of such categories of exempt information as defined by section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 as listed against such items of business by reference to the appropriate paragraph of Schedule 12a to such act.”

The Chair moved that the Public and Press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure to them of such categories of exempt information as defined by Section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 as listed against such items of business by reference to the appropriate paragraph of Schedule 12A to such Act.

The Motion was Carried.