Licence decision made over Halifax lap dancing club opposite women's centre

The La Salsa club at Silver Street, Halifax, had applied to Calderdale Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee for the renewal but faced objections from campaigners claiming it is not a suitable site – it is opposite a women’s centre and close to a church – and who questioned the suitability of applicant Reza Shahsavar to hold the licence.

Objectors also questioned whether the club’s presence was in line with the council’s ambition to be the “best borough in the North” and also raised issues of rising domestic violence in the country arising from subservience of women and a woman’s murder at Silver Street last year.

Mr Shahsavar’s legal representative Paddy Whur said those issues were serious but there was no evidence linking them to La Salsa.

La Salsa had operated since 2003 without complaint and Mr Shahsavar’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check had shown no relevant issues about him.

Council officers including its legal team advised councillors that they were not allowed by law to make a decision on moral grounds and they must give due regard to the fact that a licence had been granted previously.

There had been no relevant changes in circumstance since the previous year’s application, they said.

Solicitor Chris Riley said a key point was that there had been no objection to the application from West Yorkshire Police.

Coun Chris Pillai (Con, Rastrick) summarised the debate: “I am going to say that we as a committee today have got no just reason to refuse this application.”

Committee Chair Coun Dan Sutherland (Lab, Illingworth and Mixenden) added that although councillors had there own moral values “any decision we make has to stand up in law as well.”

Coun Rob Holden (Ind, Ryburn) said the council’s policy on licensing sexual entertainment establishments – which is reviewed every five years – could be re-examined when the next review came around.

“Regardless of our own personal opinions or moral standards we have got to follow policy and make sure any decision we make tonight will stand up in a court of law if it is challenged,” he said.

Coun Angie Gallagher (Lab, Elland) said some women chose to work at these clubs and some were members of her trade union, taking a lead on safety.