A MAIDENHEAD strip club will make its case to councillors next week for its sexual entertainment venue (SEV) license to be renewed.

Nicholas Beardwel has applied for the renewal of the license for Honeypot Gentlemen’s Club, which is on Queen Street and has been in operation for 10 years.

A flurry of objections from residents triggered a hearing of Mr Beardwel’s application and councillors on the licensing sub-committee will convene on Wednesday, April 7, to consider renewing the club’s SEV license.

In the licensing enforcement officer’s report, locals urged councillors to refuse the application on the grounds of the premises’ close proximity to residential areas, places of worship, community facilities such as Maidenhead Football Club, and nurseries within walking distance.

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With the regeneration of the town centre soon to take place following planning consent last month, a couple of residents raised issue the establishment will not “complement” the “high-quality” development plans.

Another resident concerns over the club’s effect on young people, stating: “As someone who works with vulnerable young people, I feel it’s critical that we offer clear messages to our young people on what is moral and healthy relationships with men, etc.”

Thames Valley Police raised no objections.

In a letter from representatives of the Honeypot, John Sennett urged the Royal Borough to consider approving the SEV license as it will give the council “powers” to limit the number of lap dancing clubs and stop “unscrupulous” operators from opening new venues.

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He also pointed out the Honeypot – which was a pub for 150 years before being turned into a strip club – is in a ‘designated entertainment area’ and not in a residential area, nor is it near schools.

Mr Sennett said: “In the past 10 years, we haven’t had one objection or complaint from either a member of the public or the authorities to our knowledge.

“We have proven we can exist in the town centre without causing upset. Further, the fact that we have survived 10 years demonstrates that the public wants the type of entertainment we offer.”

He also asked the council if the proposed license fee of £10,000 was for two-years instead of one until there is an upturn in the economy post-Covid.