Liverpool strip club gets green light for expansion plans

A Liverpool city centre strip club is to expand its premises after easing concerns raised by the local council.

Erotica on Stanley Street has been granted a new sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence after a decision on its future was put on hold by Liverpool Council’s licensing committee last week.

Applicant Howard Gwynn had sought to secure a licence for the location to put on lap dancing, pole dances, table dances and strip shows from 10pm to 6am daily.

When the committee met on April 18, a four person panel of councillors had raised issues around entrances and exits around the premises, as well as partitions, CCTV and the safety of the more than 20 dancers working at Erotica. The application was put in as Erotica’s proprietors are extending into adjoining premises that back onto Temple Court.

Carl Gwynn, who manages the venue, told the committee the business would advertise solely on social media and word of mouth, describing the posting of fliers as “old hat.” Howard Gwynn told councillors how the door staff work together with venues across the city centre to alert each other to problem guests, in some cases stag parties, and when not to allow entry. Howard Gwynn said: “We don’t like them” but sometimes did have stag parties come to the premises.

Safety concerns: Cllr Malcolm Kelly questioned how the business would meet the licensing condition that ensured performers were not left alone at any time with a customer except in an area open to the public

Messrs Gwynn said CCTV cameras would be positioned throughout the venue to monitor customers as well as an increase in staff. During the initial hearing last week, councillors heard how the proprietors were intending to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds to renovate and extend the premises.

Low key signs directing patrons to the venue are in place which was acquired by Howard Gwynn in 2019. No objections were received by Merseyside Police to the proposals.

What will happen now: The entrance to the premises will remain on Stanley Street and its existing licence will now be surrendered as fresh terms had been agreed. Carl Bruder, licensing agent on behalf of Mr Gwynn, said Erotica’s application was a “resurrection” of plans submitted for expansion two years ago and issues raised by the committee had been addressed in newly issued floor plans.