Agenda item

The Sub-Committee considered very carefully the application for the renewal of the sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence Playhouse, Basement, 35 London Road, Southampton, SO15 2AD

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

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

The Legal Representative, Manager and the Directors of the applicant company for the premises were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.  5 local objectors had raised written objections, but only one attended and spoke at the meeting. The sub-committee gave full consideration to the written objections and the points made at the meeting.

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

RESOLVED

(i)  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 noted from the outset that some of the issues raised in the written objections were concerned with planning issues, and confirmed at the meeting that planning matters cannot be considered here. The licensing and planning regimes are different and should be kept separate.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered both the representations on behalf of the applicant and those raised in the objections. The Sub-Committee determined that the applicant had provided sufficient information and satisfactory responses to the issues raised by the Sub-Committee and objector regarding whether there had been a change in the nature of the locality. The applicant also addressed the committee on the issues raised of noise nuisance.

The sub-committee noted the objection on the basis that the nature of the local area had changed and crime was on the rise, making it inappropriate for such a venue and discounted this as the police had not raised any objection on this or any other ground.

The sub-committee heard from the objector that noise and crime levels had increased. It noted that the area had a number of clubs and bars that were open late, and therefore the issues could not be definitively attributed to the applicant. The sub-committee noted that the club was in the basement and had a comparatively low level of customers compared to other late night venues in the area.

The sub-committee were satisfied that there has been no change to the locality since the previous sexual entertainment venue licence was granted in March 2022, and that the premises were well run to mitigate noise caused by customers leaving.

The sub-committee were satisfied with the arrangements for both staff and customers when exiting the premises.

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