Leeds lap dancing club has licence renewed despite objection over heritage fears
The Leeds Civic Trust had opposed the renewal
A Leeds lap dancing club has had its licence renewed despite facing opposition from a city heritage group.
Leeds Civic Trust opposed plans for Whiskey Down to continue trading near the historic Corn Exchange and Kirkgate Market.
Licensing rules mean strip clubs must apply to renew their sexual entertainment venue licences every 12 months.
Councillors were told the venue operator, Tokyo Industries, employed around 70 people in Leeds and also ran clubs in Manchester and Newcastle.
Paddy Whur, representing the club, said premium whiskeys from around the world were sold at the Crown Street venue.
He told a licensing sub-committee: “It’s a high-end venue with a significant drinks offer.”
The Civic Trust was not represented at the hearing but raised concerns over the impact on nearby historic buildings and a religious centre.
Their objection letter said: “The site is surrounded by important historic buildings, including the Grade I-listed Corn Exchange, which has family use, and is next to a building which has a religious use, the Kadampa Buddhist Centre.”
My Whur said the location was deemed appropriate when Whiskey Down was granted a licence in 2017.
He said: “It’s traded successfully for nine years. It’s been renewed each year.”
In 2013 Leeds City Council introduced tougher controls on the number of city centre lap dancing clubs and locations they were allowed to operate in.
Mr Whur said jobs would be at risk and the venue would have to close if the licence was not renewed.
He argued that nothing had changed in the surrounding area to trigger refusal of the licence.
Mr Whur said: “We actually feel that the premises being open, having CCTV and door supervisors, benefits that area behind the Corn Exchange.”
Councillors agreed to renew the licence following the hearing at Leeds Civic Hall.