Lap dancing club's opening hours cut back

John GreenwoodLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageGoogle Street view of La Salsa lapdancing club on the corner of two streets. The street on the left of the image is 'Cow Green'. The sign in the window reads 'Lap Dancing, Poledancing, Wedding Parties, Birthdays & Events, Special Occasions'.
Google
The owner of the La Salsa club says it has operated for 21 years without incident

A Halifax lap dancing club has had its licence renewed but with its opening hours reduced.

Councillors approved an application for La Salsa's sexual entertainment venue licence, which will cover only three days a week, at the applicant's request following objections.

The Silver Street venue's licence previously allowed operation seven days a week, but operating hours will now cover just Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when the club can open between 21:00 and 05:30.

Calderdale Council's Licensing and Regulatory Committee agreed to renew the licence on condition of the reduced hours and a lack of signage outside, save for one sign stating the name of the business.

The application followed refusal of renewal of the licence by the councillors last summer, but the club was able to remain open following an impasse over a legal appeal against that decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillors had argued last year that changes to the district, including the opening of a nearby 122-home apartment block, the Bolt Works, were a factor providing grounds for refusal.

Club owner Reza Shahsavar replied that the club had operated for 21 years at the premises without incident.

La Salsa's appeal was settled by agreement between the parties due to uncertainty on the jurisdiction of the magistrates' court to hear the appeal.

West Yorkshire Police made no representations on the new application.

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