Newmarket: Heaven lap dancing club has licence renewed despite concerns over “Las Vegas” signage

13:00 21 November 2013

Jon Vale jon.vale@archant.co.uk

Heaven Gentleman’s Club in Newmarket was granted permission by Forest Heath’s licensing sub-committee on Monday.

The premises at Innocence nightclub has been there since 2006, but was initially granted a sexual entertainment venue licence in October last year under new rules.

Robin Hardy from Newmarket Town Pastors joined Newmarket Town councillors Rachel Hood and Warwick Hirst in speaking against the application. All three said the venue had ignored its licence by using a sign that was three times larger than allowed, as well as saying it was not in-keeping with the area.

Mr Hirst said: “You want the view of somewhere you could spend time, that’s attractive. When you come down and see these signs there, I would say that’s more like Las Vegas than Newmarket, and it’s certainly not the type of signage you’d want to see when you’re trying to promote the health of the high street.”

Ms Hood added: “When you have a licensee who’s been in flagrant breach of his licensing requirements, the panel should view that with seriousness, otherwise why have we got licensing policy?”

Jason Newell, one of the company’s managing directors, said the issue over signage had been a misunderstanding.

He added: “It doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, it doesn’t stand out like a Las Vegas sign or anything like that - it’s not illuminated in any way.

“We have no objections from the general public. It all comes from people who didn’t want us there in the first place.”

Mr Newell added that the venue attracts 350 customers per night on racing weekends, and 220 out of the racing season.

After more than an hour of deliberation, the three-man panel of councillors Roger Dicker, Eddie Stewart and David Bimson decided to renew the application. They also permitted Heaven to continue with its current signage.

Speaking after the verdict, Ms Hood said the town council would take advice on appealing the decision, adding: “Once again the licensing committee, led by Roger Dicker, has rode roughshod over the people of Newmarket.”