No More Sex Clubs For Ealing

Licensing committee recommendations following closure of LA Confidential

LA Confidential and Club Karma in Ealing have closed and plans for another ' sexual entertainment venue' - Purrrrlesque have also been shelved.

It follows investigations by undercover officers following complaints of licence breaches. There were allegations that naked dancers performed sex acts, and offered to spend the night for £300.

The club's licence was revoked in June 2018 and Ealing Magistrates District Judge Inyundo had said: "These breaches were not sporadic but were endemic within the premises.  There was a culture of non-compliance with the necessary conditions which either was known to all concerned within the premises (there being a financial benefit to them) or is evidence of a lack of control by those charged with compliance with the licence conditions".

The company lodged a further appeal to Isleworth Crown Court to overturn this ruling and a decision was expected in August 2019. During this time the club continued to trade under its premises licence but remained subject to ongoing scrutiny from the police and the council.   

During the lead up to the Crown Court hearing, the council received a transfer application for the club’s Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) and premises license. This was submitted by a new company, Purrrlesque.  

These applications were to be considered by the Council’s Licensing Committee as they were immediately met with the police and the council objecting to the transfer of the licenses.   

Before the Crown Court appeal hearing took place, LA Confidential management withdrew their appeal, surrendered its premises licence and stopped operating from the venue. Club Karma, a nightclub located next to LA Confidential, also surrendered its license and vacated the premises.   

Following these developments, Purrrlesque withdrew their application to request the transfer of the SEV licence.   

Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Inclusion said: “A lot of resources, time and effort were used in this investigation and we’re very pleased that this company has ceased trading given the detrimental impact on employees and the local area caused by its non-compliance.  

“The council will continue to enforce licensing regulations across the borough to ensure residents and employees are protected and businesses operate responsibly.    

“I would like to thank the council’s licensing team who led on this investigation and secured such a positive outcome for local residents and businesses. I’m looking forward to consulting on a new licensing policy to further reduce the number of sexual entertainment venues in Ealing to zero, as these establishments do not support our vision for the borough and our night-time economy.”   

The council will be consulting in the autumn on a new licencing policy for gambling, sexual entertainment venues and alcohol and late-night refreshments venues.

The licensing committee are being recommended to reduce the number of sexual entertainment venues in Ealing to zero.   

A policy recommendation is expected to go out for public consultation in October.    

4 September 2019