Charity objects to Leeds lapdance clubs' licence renewal bid

A charity which supports women affected by sexual violence has objected to the licence renewal applications of two lapdancing clubs in Leeds.
The Purple Door Lap Dancing Club, Leeds.The Purple Door Lap Dancing Club, Leeds.
The Purple Door Lap Dancing Club, Leeds.

Councillors on Leeds City Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to consider renewing the licences of Liberte and Purple Door lapdancing clubs, both on York Place in the city centre.

The licences of both clubs ran out on September 30 and the renewal application is for another 12 months “for the provision of sexual entertainment in the form of lapdancing”.

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The charity Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL) has submitted an objection letter against both clubs’ applications.

It says the clubs are “located in the centre of the city in the legal district close to lawyers’ premises used by women including SARSVL clients. It is also close to amenities such as restaurants, hotels and cinemas, routinely used by families and near shopping centres and main thoroughfares. 
“We believe this is a wholly inappropriate place for sex establishments. It undermines the city’s stated aim of being “fair, open and welcoming.”

Reports to the meeting tomorrow state that Purple Door has been operating as a lapdancing club since 2005 and Liberte since 2008.

The documents also state no other objections were submitted and no enforcement action has been taken against either club over the past 12 months. In 2013, Leeds City Council’s executive board ruled there should be no more than four sexual entertainment venues in the city centre.