Agenda item

An application for a Premises Licence in respect of Purity Club, 3 Pitt Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0NF was considered following representations received from the Licensing Authority, Public Health and West Midlands Police.

The Chair welcomed all parties to the hearing and invited all those present to introduce themselves. All parties did so. He outlined the procedure to be followed and all parties confirmed that they understood the procedure.

Debra Craner, Section Leader Licensing, provided an outline of the

application and reported that since the agenda had been published, Elaine Moreton, Licensing Authority, had submitted some proposed amendments to the Applicant’s Operating Schedule. She further stated that these proposed amendments had been circulated to all parties in advance of the Hearing.

The Chair invited the Applicant to present his application.

Mr Clive Thomason did so as per Appendix 1 of the report. He stated that he had successfully ran a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) club in Dudley for 13 years and was moving to the Wolverhampton area for convenience. He advised that if parties were not comfortable with certain activities or equipment at the premises they would be removed.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question Mr Thomason in relation to his submission.

Mr Thomason responded to questions asked and stated that:

• He would be happy to install CCTV where required;
• He agreed to accept the amended Operating Schedule proposed by the Licensing Authority;
• No sexual activity would take place on the premises and licensing regulations would be adhered to;
• Any activity that may require sex establishment licensing would cease, and equipment would be removed.

The Chair invited the Licensing Authority to make representations. Elaine Moreton, Section Leader Licensing, did so as per Appendix 5 of the report.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the Licensing Authority in relation to its submission. Mrs Moreton responded to questions asked and stated that she was happy for her proposals to be amended or added to.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 12.20 hours for lunch.

The Hearing reconvened at 12.40 hours.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police (WMP) to make representations. Mr Andrew Parker, Barrister representing West Midlands Police, did so as per Appendix 3 of the report. He stated that the application, in its current form, was not fit for purpose and requested that the Sub-Committee either reject the application or adjourn the Hearing to a later date allowing the Applicant time to improve his application. He further stated that despite the Applicant agreeing to the proposals from the Licensing Authority, WMP still had concerns about the intended use of the premises.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question West Midlands Police in relation to its submission. Mr Parker and Sgt Steph Reynolds responded to questions asked. Sgt Reynolds stated that WMP had not had enough time to consider the proposed amendments from the Licensing Authority and suggested that an adjournment to a future date would be enable them to so.

Mr Parker confirmed that WMP requested that the Hearing be adjourned.

Councillor Bolshaw, Councillor Crofts, Councillor Inston, the Senior Solicitor and Democratic Services Officer, withdrew from the meeting to enable the Sub-Committee to consider the request.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 13.30 hours.

The Hearing reconvened at 13.48 hours.

Councillor Bolshaw, Councillor Crofts, Councillor Inston, the Senior Solicitor and Democratic Services Officer re-joined the meeting.

Sarah Hardwick, Senior Solicitor, stated that in accordance with Regulations 11 and 12 of The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearing) regulations 2005 the Sub-Committee were permitted to adjourn a hearing to a specified date. Having considered the request made by WMP and the position of all parties the Sub-Committee had agreed to adjourn this Hearing until 2pm on Wednesday 18 November 2020. She further stated that in order to stop the proceedings at an appropriate time, the Sub-Committee wanted to hear the submissions from all parties before adjourning.

All parties agreed to this.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question West Midlands Police in relation to its earlier submission. No further questions were asked.

The Chair invited Public Health to make representations. Michelle Smith, Principal Public Health Specialist, did so as per Appendix 4 of the report.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question Public Health in relation to her submission. Michelle Smith responded to questions asked.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 14.05 hours.