Lisa Nandy MP

HOUSE
11 June 2015

OF COMMONS

LONDON

SWIA

OAA

Councillor Paul Prescott

Chairman, Planning Committee &
Regulation and Licensing Committee
Wigan Council Places Directorate
Wigan Life Centre South
Wigan WN 11NJ

I am writing to object to the renewal of the license for the Sexual Entertainment venue, Baby
Platinum at 58 King Street, Wigan WN11BT, and, in particular, to the continuation of the variation
of condition 30(g} of the Council's Standard Conditions for Sexual Entertainment Venues. I have
also written directly in the same terms to Donna Hall, Chief Executive of Wigan Council, Alan
Blundell, Assistant Director of Regulation and to Joanne Brockley, Licensing Development &
Improvement Officer at Wigan Council's Trading Standards & Licensing Section.

LicenseRenewal
Since the license was granted, I have been contacted by a number of constituents who have raised
concerns about the nature of this business and the impact on safety and security in the town
centre, and I echo those concerns. This is an area that is already significantly under strain, with
many late night, licensed venues and a high incidence of anti-social behaviour, as the council and
police have acknowledged with the arrangements on King Street, which is gated to protect the
public, and the exclusion zone granted due to aggressive begging which has now been in place
since February 2013.
While this establishment has been operational I have seen for myself customers
premises at night and I am deeply concerned that women should feel intimidated,
vulnerable in Wigan town centre as a consequence.

outside the
unsafe and

There are also a number of charities operating in either King Street itself or in close proximity who
cater for extremely vulnerable members of the public. The domestic violence charity, DIAS based
in Rodney House in King Street support both men and women who are experiencing or recovering
from domestic violence and abusive relationships with the aim of ensuring they feel supported,
safe and secure. The charity, Victim Support is based in the nearby Life Centre who support
victims or witnesses of crime including extremely vulnerable children and young people. Beta
Netcafe, based at 64 King Street Wigan is an established charity that offers basic training and
support for vulnerable adults with the aim of increasing their confidence and life skills to enable
them to live as independently as possible. The Brick Homeless Project and Food Bank is also
extremely close to King Street and supports vulnerable people in crisis including those with social
difficulties, mental health problems, the elderly and homeless by working in partnership with a

Usa Nandy
Member of Parliament for Wigan
Tel: 01942 242047 Fax: 01942 239451
Email: lisa.nandy.mp@parliament.uk
Website: www.lisanandy.co.uk

wide range of agencies and support groups in the area. Coops Foyer is also located nearby which
offers a safe environment for vulnerable young people who require both support and
accommodation which cannot be accessed elsewhere.
I note that as part of the application process Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire
and Rescue, the Council's Planning Section, Business Compliance and Improvement Section and
Local Ward Councillors must be consulted. I understand that while Greater Manchester Police
have advised that they have no objections to the renewal of the licence, the Local Ward
Councillors intend to lodge a further formal objection to both the renewal of the licence and the
continuation of the variation of condition 30(g).
Whilst I have been informed that the bodies who must be consulted are not required to provide
evidence as to why they have no objection I do not understand why such conclusions can be
reached without documented evidence of any mapping exercises conducted to monitor the effect
that the operation of Baby Platinum has had upon the area, in respect of the Cumulative Impact
Policy detailed in the relevant sections of the enclosed Home Office Guidance on the Licencing Act
2003.
Given the large number of licensed premises operating in King Street and the number of people
present, especially at weekends, I believe the area constitutes a saturation zone and that the
establishment of this premises has an impact on health and safety and, as a consequence, may
have an impact on the likelihood of criminal activity in the area.
Given the strain on the local area and the community who live in and around the town centre, I
wish to formally object to the renewal of this licence on Cumulative Impact grounds.
Variation of condition 30(g)
The Regulation Committee held on 8 July 2014 made a decision to vary condition 30(g) of the
Council's standard licence conditions for sexual entertainment venues. I made representations at
the time to both the Council and the Chair of the Regulation Committee. I was later informed that
the decision was made democratically and in line with the Local Government (Miscellaneous)
Provisions Act 1982 and the Council were duty bound to 'mirror' this Act.
Whilst I recognise that the Council must make decisions in line with the Act, for the reasons I have
outlined I believe the Council does have the power to refuse the application. It is also clear that
the Council decide whether or not to vary the condition. The exercise of this power has precedent
and I have attached the minutes from Calderdale Council where a similar application was
considered in October 2014. As you can see, Calderdale Council rejected the removal of the
condition that requires dancers to wear a g-string at all times condition for the following reasons:
i.
ii.

significant concerns regarding public safety of the dancers and vulnerable members of
the public in the vicinity of the premises and
the increased likelihood of crime and disorder

Similarly, Birmingham City Council also refused an application for a sexual entertainment venue
licence on the grounds that granting such a licence would be inappropriate in regards to the
character of the locality and the use to which any premises in the vicinity are put under grounds
set out in paragraph 12(3)(d) of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions
Act 1982.
Given these examples and the point' have raised in respect of the decision that the Committee
could have made' find it difficult to understand why the Committee could not have chosen to
reject the application and/or have refused to accept the variation of condition 30(g) and' object in
the strongest terms to this being accepted again.
, would also be grateful for an assurance that any member of the public who submits a formal
objection is informed of the date of the committee meeting and invited to attend in line with item
4.25 of appendix A ofthe Regulation Committee agenda held on 8 July 2014.
, would be grateful for an assurance that my own and my constituents' objections will be fully
taken into account by the committee and 'look forward to your earliest response.
Yours sincerely

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tisa Nandy MP
Encs