Agenda item

Committee to determine an application to renew a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence – Report ENV935 of Licensing Officer.

The Chairman stated that the meeting was back in public session.

Decision

To approve the renewal of the application for a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence for Lolas Lounge (previously known as Taboo Gentlemen’s Club), 99A Westgate, Grantham, NG31 6LE in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2009).

The Chairman introduced those present and confirmed who would be speaking in respect of the application before the Committee.  Serena Baxter the applicant confirmed she would be speaking in respect of the application.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which concerned an application to renew a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence for Lola’s Lounge, 99A Westgate, Grantham.

The Policing and Crime Act 2009 amends Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to permit the Licensing Authority to license sex establishments.

In accordance with the Authority’s procedures, all applications relating to sexual entertainment venues, with the exception of uncontested transfer applications, will be heard by the Licensing Committee.

On 27 March 2026 an application was received by the Licensing Authority to renew the existing Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence for Lolas Lounge, 99a Westgate, Grantham.

A sex establishment means any premises, vessel or stall where relevant entertainment is provided before a lie audience for the financial gain of the organiser or entertainer.

The applicant had run a sexual entertainment venue at the premises since April 2025, although there had been a sexual entertainment venue licence at the premise since 2012.  No objections had been received from the Police, the only responsible authority required to be served with a copy of the application under Schedule 3, paragraph 10 (14) of the LGMPA, one representation from a member of the public had been received but this had since been withdrawn.

The applicant then made their representation stating that they had bought the business in April 2025.  Ms Baxter had been running sexual entertainment venues since 2017 and the application before the Committee was a renewal of the sexual entertainment venue licence, the only change being the name of the venue.

The Licensing Officer then gave their closing statement.  Each application must be determined on its own merits with applications only being able to be refused on certain defined mandatory or discretionary grounds as outlined at paragraph 3.1 within the report.  The options available to the Committee were:

·       To renew the application as applied for

·       To renew the application with modifications and/or additional conditions

·       Refuse the renewal – if, having considered the renewal application the committee decides to refuse it, it must provide the applicant with the reasons for the decision in writing.

The applicant had nothing to add.

(11:06 the Licensing Officers, applicant and the press left the meeting)

Members discussed the application before them having regard to all relevant guidance and policies.  Members noted that the application was for a renewal of the sexual entertainment venue licence and that the only representation received had been withdrawn and no representations had been received from the Police, the only responsible body required to be notified.  It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the licence as applied for.

(11:11 the Licensing Officers, applicant and press returned to the meeting)

The Legal Advisor read out the Committee’s decision.  The Committee had read all the relevant guidance and policies together with the report before them and had heard from the applicant. The Committee noted that the only representation had been withdrawn. Having noted the contents of the application and the history of the premises the Committee decided to approve the renewal application as applied for.