Owners of a Chester lap dancing club are delighted at being granted the opportunity for a full judicial review following Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision to remove its sex establishment licence.
The Platinum Lounge in Bridge Street Row was stripped of its licence at the council’s licensing committee after opponents successfully argued the surrounding neighbourhood had become more residential.
But the club reopened its doors after a high court judge granted an ‘interim release’ which will remain in place pending the outcome of the judicial review which will definitely go ahead following a ruling at Manchester High Court on November 13.
Nigel Woodhouse, on behalf of the Platinum Lounge operators, said: “We are pleased that the high court judge agrees that our case deserves a full judicial review. It is a shame that we have had to go to these lengths. We cannot comment any further as it is an on-going high court case.”
Solicitor Lisa Sharkey said: “Upon hearing representations from counsel Richard Clayton QC and Sarah Clover of Kings Chambers and having considered the written evidence submitted, His Honour Judge Sycamore decided to grant permission for the judicial review to proceed.
“The premises will continue to trade as a lap dancing club pending determination of the judicial review.”
It was in September that the licensing committee turned down the club’s application to renew its sex establishment licence.
Solicitor Anthony Lyons, who represented residents in White Friars Court, successfully argued the venue was no longer an appropriate location because the number of people living nearby had increased significantly after commercial premises were converted into homes.
