A NIGHTCLUB has become the latest venue to be allowed to host sexual entertainment during this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham Borough Council has granted permission for Under the Prom to host the activity at its site in a basement in Promenade.

Councillors approved the application by European Events Consultants Limited this week.

The company wants to use the premises as a sexual entertainment venue and operate over the five days of the festival – March 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.

On the Monday, the hours would be 8pm until 5am the next day.

The rest of the days it would be from 6pm until 5am.

The application, which had attracted eight objections and 59 representations in support, was unanimously approved by the licensing committee on February 1.

The committee was told the proposals fell just outside of the designated area defined in the council’s sexual entertainment venue licensing policy but that there was discretion for the committee to deviate from its policy.

Councillors considered whether there were any sensitive premises in the vicinity of the venue and they were reminded that sexual entertainment (SEV) is a lawful activity and they could not consider objections made on moral grounds.

Chairman David Willingham (LD, St Peters) said the council is committed to working with its partners to ensure people feel safe during race week.

“We appreciate SEVs are an issue some people feel strongly about and as can be seen from the public representations, some people have a strong objection to this activity while others strongly support it.

“The committee’s job is to apply the legal tests and consider the suitability of the location, the safety of the performers, the customers and the public, as well as any impact on properties in the area.

“The venue successfully operates as a late-night premises and has for many years hosted a popup SEV under the exemption. The applicant also presented comprehensive safeguarding processes including ID, CCTV and other employee and venue checks.

“The council’s duty to ensure equality was taken into account as part of the committee’s decision making. Based on the statutory guidance and evidence before the committee, there were no lawful reasons to refuse this licence.”

The applicant had agreed several conditions with Gloucestershire Constabulary ahead of the meeting, and the police raised no objection to the grant of the licence. Three extra licensing conditions were imposed in granting the licence.

One preventing customers from entering or leaving the premises via Montpellier Street (except for wheelchair access or in the case of an emergency) and one preventing the applicant’s courtesy vehicle from dropping off customers in Montpellier Street.

There is also a condition requiring the applicant to work with the council on improving public safety in the night-time economy during race week.