Member Article

Curtains for Leeds sex establishments

Six Leeds sex establishments have received the outcome of their renewal applications this week, with half being shown the door.

Leeds City Council’s licensing sub-committee heard the renewal applications and public objections and chose to allow only two establishments, Liberte and Purple Door, both on York Place, to remain open.

A third, Silks, of Sovereign Place, was approved for a finite term, until June 30th 2014.

The applications for Deep Blue of Wellington Street, LS1, Red Leopard and Wildcats both of The Headrow, LS1, were refused due to the number of buildings with sensitive uses nearby to the location of the premises.

Consultation from the review concluded that sexual entertainment venues should not be located in residential, deprived or rural areas, in prominent areas of the City and near places of public importance, ceremony and recreation.

It was also concluded that there should be a maximum of four sexual entertainment venues in our City, providing those premises are not near properties with sensitive uses or in sensitive locations.

Councillor Becky Charlwood, chair of the licensing committee said: “I’m very pleased that the committee have applied the policy of the council, this policy change was created through public engagement and was heavily consulted upon.

“These were no-doubt difficult decisions to make, but I think it is right to use the powers we have available to us as a council to help fulfil our ambition to be the best city in the UK for all our citizens and visitors.”

The council executive board approved a new policy for the licensing of sex establishments earlier this year, with came into effect from 1 September 2013.

The licensing of sex establishments includes adult shops, cinemas and sexual entertainment venues, generally providing lap dancing.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .