Leeds lap dance club wins sex establishment licence renewal

Leeds City Council’s licensing committee today approved the club’s bid to have its sex establishment licence renewed, despite an objection from a charity which supports victims of sexual violence.

Support after Rape And Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL) had submitted a letter to Leeds City Council opposing the application for a licence renewal at Silks on Sovereign Place.

Silks, which has operated at the site for a number of years, propose to open a nail salon at the club during daylight hours. Leeds operates a maximum of four sexual entertainment venues at any one time.

In a high profile change of its regulations in 2013, the council put a cap on the numbers of lap dancing clubs it would allow at any one time. The city centre previously operated seven such venues.

A letter to the licensing committee stated: “SARSVL believes Leeds City Council missed an opportunity when it introduced its policy to limit such clubs in the city centre to four. It should have adopted a Zero Tolerance of Sex Establishments policy.”

A report to the licensing committee stated: “These premises have held a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for the provision of regulated entertainment and sale of alcohol since 13th March 2009. It is understood that lap dancing has been held at the premises since that time.”