Issue - meetings

To consider an application by AA Entertainment1 Limited for the renewal of the Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) Licence for Sinless, First Floor, 132 – 134 Promenade, Blackpool.

The Sub-Committee considered an application by AA Entertainment1 Ltd for the renewal of the Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) Licence for Sinless, First Floor, 132 – 134 Promenade, Blackpool.

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe presented the report which outlined that renewals for SEV Licences needed to be renewed every twelve months and that during the process of renewing the licence for Sinless an objection had been received which required its consideration by the Sub-Committee.

The objector (whom had chosen to remain anonymous) detailed that they believed Mr Mark Newton, the applicant, was an unsuitable person to hold a licence due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards staff, drug use at Sinless and insisting staff collect card payments at the venue without customers knowing. They also stated that they had informed the Police of potential crimes committed at Sinless. However following enquires with Lancashire Constabulary, officers determined that the Police were unaware of the allegations and had not been asked to undertake any investigation into Mr Newton or Sinless. Furthermore following a request by Licensing Officers the objector had failed to provide further details or evidence of the alleged offences.

The Sub-Committee queried how long Sinless had held a licence as a SEV. Mr Ratcliffe replied that a licence had been held since 2012.

Mr Newton outlined the case for granting the renewal of the SEV Licence for Sinless. He stated that he had provided a written submission to Members of the Sub-Committee, which was made available at the meeting. He further explained that had ensured that all necessary guidelines had been followed by Sinless and that he had been the subject of numerous unannounced inspection, none of which had resulted in any enforcement action. He also stated that he had been shocked by the allegations against him which he described as having no substance.

The Sub-Committee considered the application to renew the SEV Licence and in light of the failure of the objector to substantiate the allegations against the applicant, agreed that delegated authority be granted to the Licensing and Trading Standards Manager to grant the renewal subject to a satisfactory further inspection of the applicant’s premises.

Resolved: that delegated powers be granted to the Head of trading Standards and Licensing to approve the application to renew the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence in respect of Sinless, First Floor, 132 – 134 Promenade, Blackpool, subject to satisfactory further inspection.