A South London strip club is requesting the renewal of its licence, but with a condition that would allow it to operate with one fewer security guard. Fillies Kingston, located on Kingston High Street, has been required to apply for a licence renewal annually since it opened in 2018, as it is classified as a sexual entertainment venue.
Licence Hearing Amid Resident Objection
This year, the renewal application faced an objection from a resident, prompting a hearing before Kingston Council's Licensing Committee on Thursday, April 23. The resident, who did not attend the meeting, claimed that noise from the venue was 'unbearable' and had woken them up late at night. However, Damon Wellman, the club's manager, expressed surprise at the objection, stating that staff work diligently to ensure the venue does not generate excessive noise.
Mr. Wellman noted that the council has no record of any noise complaints related to the club over the past three years, and the Metropolitan Police raised no objections to the licence renewal application. 'I understand objections but we are a fair, democratic society. Freedom of choice, within the legal framework, includes ideas and decisions that may oppose some individuals' personal morals,' he said.
Proposed Reduction in Security Staff
The application seeks to renew the licence under the same operating hours and conditions as before, with one key change: reducing the requirement for door staff from four to three at any given time. When questioned by councillors about this proposed reduction, Mr. Wellman described having four door staff as 'a real overkill.' He stated that he was unaware of any police incidents at the club since its opening and emphasized that all staff members have received security training.
'We're at a point where we just don't need four members of door staff. It's totally unnecessary and obviously everybody's tightening their belts,' he added.
Current Operating Hours and Decision Pending
The venue currently has permission to operate from 10pm to 3am on Mondays through Thursdays, and from 10pm to 5am on Fridays and Saturdays. Kingston Council is expected to publish its decision on the application in the coming days.
