Twickenham's only strip club in doubt after licence refusal (From Your Local Guardian)

Twickenham's only strip club in doubt after licence refusal

7:40am Saturday 28th January 2012 in Richmond By Rachel Bishop

Peek hours: The Piano Lounge is now the Playhouse Gentleman's Club

The only strip club in Twickenham could be completely closed down after Richmond Council refused a new sex establishment venue licence application for the venue this week.

Residents have continually opposed the Playhouse Gentleman’s club, formerly the Piano Lounge, in King’s Street Parade, but their struggle could be over after the decision on Monday, January 23, at York House.

The 10-year battle between residents and licence holder Walter Angliss came to a head at the licensing meeting, chaired by Councillor Rita Palmer.

Following the decision, Councillor Susan Chappell, of Poulett Gardens, said: “I’m delighted that councillors and residents have worked together to get this result and haven#t given up.

“All the Riverside and South Twickenham councillors have supported residents to oppose this application. It was great to see so many residents at the hearing and the number prepared to speak out. This again shows the strength of feeling.”

A 12-year-old resident of Poulett Gardens said: “I’m shocked that someone can even consider a strip bar in Twickenham.”

The licensing sub-committee decision was made to refuse the application because of the residential character of the area and the use of premises in the vicinity, pursuant to clauses in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

The committee also found that it would be inappropriate for the premises to be used as a sexual entertainment venue.

John Mc Gann from Twickenham police also made a representation against the application, and said the venue played a large part in drunken and disorderly behaviour in the town.

He said: “[Patrons] are kicked out at 3am and have caused public disorder that we have had in the past.”

The original application was made by Mr Angliss, Glenn Nicie and Chris Knight, but Mr Angliss stated at the meeting that he had “completely withdrawn” from the application, and the licence would be transferred to Mr Nicie and Mr Knight if it was granted permission. Mr Angliss intended to sell the venue to the pair.

A contributing factor to this change, the meeting heard, was the conviction for 11 offences brought against Mr Angliss, referring to the venue, at Richmond Magistrates’ Court on March 17, 2011. He was fined a total of £3,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,750 for breaching the terms of his licence.

The applicants had 14 letters of supports from various licensing officials and police departments from 2001 to 2010, yet letters against the applications reached 85.

Coun Palmer said: “The formal decision letter is being written by the legal advisor to the licensing sub-committee for this application, Gerald Gouriet QC, and will be issued in due course.”

The applicants will have 21 days to appeal the decision, from receipt of the decision letter, during which time they may continue to trade. The appeal is by Judicial Review to the High Court.