Decision on licence for city lap dancing club postponed

Members of the city council’s licensing sub-committee were yesterday due to rule on whether to grant a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence allowing Black Diamond Club in New Briggate, Leeds, to double in size.

The licence application by the club’s owner, Illuminati Ventures, is the first since a new policy was introduced by Leeds City Council capping the number of SEVs in the city at four – three fewer than currently operate.

However, the decision was postponed at the last minute after it emerged one of the three councillors due to sit on the sub-committee had a “conflict of interest” that meant they could not take part in the deliberations.

A council spokeswoman said: “Due to a potential conflict of interest the decision on the Black Diamond application was postponed. While we appreciate this is inconvenient for the applicants, it ensures that the decision to be made by the sub-committee is fair and proper.”

The council’s limit on lap dancing clubs in Leeds came into effect this month following consultation with the authority’s Citizens Panel, which found that a majority of people thought the current number of seven clubs was too high.

Illuminati Ventures has already been given planning permission for its proposed expansion, which would see the club grow from two floors to four, but requires a new SEV licence to replace the existing one covering the smaller venue. A decision is now due to be made on Thursday.