Lap-dancing breaches results in £28k fine

In one of the first prosecutions under the revised sex establishment legislation, City of London police and The Corporation of London have successfully fined three people for operating a lap-dancing venue without an appropriate Sex Entertainment Venue Licence.

The City of London Police Licensing Team provided the necessary evidence needed in order for the prosecution to make its decision and give out a fine totalling £28,000 to the owner, manager and Premises Licence Holder of “Charlie’s Bar” in the City of London.

The case provides an example of how robust enforcement measures using both Premises Licence Reviews and criminal prosecutions in parallel can effectively deal with problem venues.

“Charlie’s” has operated as a wine bar and nightclub for many years. The Premises Licence had been reviewed on two previous occasions in 2008 and 2010 following incidents of crime and disorder and public nuisance.

Since 2008 the venue had lawfully hosted lap‐dancing evenings on a weekly basis. However in 2010, following a consultation process, the City of London Corporation resolved to adopt the new legislation in relation to sex entertainment venues.

The new provisions had full effect from 1 September 2011 and as a result any venue that wished to provide lap‐dancing would require an SEV licence. Importantly, this was subject to the “frequency exemption” which Charlie’s later flouted.

On 26 July 2012 the three defendants pleaded guilty before the City of London Magistrates Court. When imposing fines totalling £28,000 the court observed that the offences were “wilful, knowing and for commercial
gain”.

Source: The Institute of Licensing