A report asking the Sub-Committee to consider an application for the variation of a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence (SEV) made by LGL Entertainment Ltd on 18 June 2019.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report asking the Sub-Committee to consider an application for the variation of a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence (SEV) made by LGL Entertainment Ltd on 18 June 2019 in respect of premises at 108 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EP.

The application sought to extend the operating hours to 21.00hrs until 05.00hrs the following day, seven days per week.  The report explained that the application should be considered in line with the representations received, the Council’s SEV Policy and any other matters that the Sub-Committee might deem as relevant, as well as in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provision Act 1982.

The following documents were attached to the report:

Appendix JC1        Minute 18 of the Council meeting held on 29 June 2010, adopting the amendment to Schedule 3 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provision Act 1982, permitting the Council to regulate the number, location, operating terms and conditions for Sexual Entertainment Venues;

Appendix JC2        Reading Borough Council’s Sexual Entertainment Venue Policy;

Appendix JC3        Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence for 108 Friar Street, Reading, RG41 1EP;

Appendix JC4        Application form and operating policies for the premises;

Appendix JC5        Representations from Reading Borough Planning Council Planning Team;

Appendix JC6        Representations from Thames Valley Police;

Appendix JC7        Reading Borough Council’s Regulations for Sex Establishments.

The report explained that the premises currently had a licence for a sex establishment with the permitted hours of trade being Monday to Sunday: 2100hrs until 0300hrs and also had a licence which permitted regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol from 1100hrs until 0300hrs with a closing time of 0400hrs.

The report also explained that the premises did not currently have planning permission for use as an SEV, that an application for change of use had been received on 21 August 2019 and that a decision on the planning application had not yet been made.  The Sub-Committee noted that any decision should be made in terms of Licensing regulations only, and that planning matters should not be considered.

Appendix JC6, representations from Thames Valley Police, noted that there were inconsistencies between the conditions of the SEV licence and the operating policies used by the premises.  These were set out in appendix TVP1.

Sarah Clover, Barrister representing LGL Entertainment Ltd, Rodney Bennet, Operations Director LGL Entertainment Ltd, Lauren Lines, Director LGL Entertainment Ltd, Victor Mihalachie, General Manager of the premises and Simon Wheeler and Declan Smith, Thames Valley Police attended the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee

Resolved:     That the variation of the Sexual Entertainment Venue licence in respect of premises at 108 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EP be granted, subject to the amended conditions set out by the Applicant’s Legal Adviser during the meeting and to be agreed with TVP and the Licensing Authority and being included within the Operations Schedule (the rules relating to the operations at the venue), to extend the opening hours to 21.00hrs until 05.00hrs the following day, seven days per week.