Windmill Theatre

The iconic Windmill Theatre will start the defence of their appeal against the refusal of the renewal of their Sexual Entertainment Licence (SEV) on Monday 8th October 2018. Their SEV renewal was refused by Westminster City Council licensing sub-committee on the 11th January 2018 following objections made by three feminists who had three ex police officers make visits to the premises.
In one way the Windmill could count themselves unlucky in that the feminists lodged a review of the SEV but under the Licensing Act 2003, totally wrong, but it was at a time the SEV was up for it's annual renewal so the council accepted the evidence as an objection to the SEV, very accommodating.
The appeal has been listed for two days at Westminster Magistrates Court, Marylebone for the 8/9th October starting at 10am.
The Windmill has a long history of nude entertainment since around 1932 and was more recently owned by Oscar Owide once described as Britain's biggest pimp but if you knew him he was a likeable gentleman.
It is unusual for a premises to be able to appeal a refusal of an SEV, normally the only process would be to judicial review the decision. I believe the chairman of the sub-committee whilst refusing the renewal of the licence recognised the iconic nature of the venue and did not want to deal the final blow. Not many venues successfully challenge a judicial review and the word is the premises have a good chance to retain their SEV licence. This would mean stricter conditions, change of person in direct control etc. The premises will say they have been operating this way since the initial allegations were made in October 2017. Let's hope they are successful.
The initial objection by the three feminists stated that they wanted the premises punished and shut down as lap dancing premises do not have an easy fit with feminist thinking. The cost of obtaining the evidence runs into thousands of pounds plus the cost of appointing counsel to represent them whilst retaining their right under the law for anonymity. I wonder who is behind them.
Other west end venues be aware.

The towel has been thrown in and the Windmill Theatre will no longer operate as a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) under Daniel Owide. The appeal in the crown court against the refusal to renew the SEV licence was withdrawn on Friday afternoon 12th April 2019. To withdraw an appeal for such an iconic venue offering striptease entertainment and close down must have been a hard decision to make, but with very little hard evidence coming out of the Platinum Lace V Sophisticats hearing (see West End Strip clubs thread) plus rising defence costs, over £60,000 being demanded by Westminster City Council plus his own costs Daniel has called it a day.
What Hitler could not do during the war, stop the theatre from operating, the three female American activists have done in less than 6 months.
This would not stop another operator from taking over the theatre and applying for a new SEV as the premises still has a very attractive premises licence to sell alcohol and provide entertainment. I am aware that Secrets currently operate at The Gaslight Club in St James's.

The Windmill Theatre did indeed lose their appeal against the refusal by Westminster Council to grant the renewal of their Sexual Entertainment Venue licence. I have yet to see the written decision but the good news is that Daniel Owide has now appealed this decision to the crown court. This decision would have been made not just on the advice of his QC but also to protect part of the family business that his father Oscar built up over many years operating in Soho.

Advised by two independent licensing advocates that the Windmill Theatre have lost their appeal and therefore their Sexual Entertainment Venue licence. This is still to be officially confirmed but if true marks a sad time for the Windmill but also other West End venues offering such entertainment being targeted by these feminists.
Will try to obtain a copy of the official ruling to see the full details and why she decided not to allow the appeal.
The Windmill can still appeal this decision if they have the desire, Daniel Owide has the financial means to continue the process. Let's hope he does.

Well the appeal lasted 3 days with the magistrate (Ms Arbuthnot) visiting the Windmill Theatre on the Monday. What she wanted to view was possibly the VIP area where the sexual services were offered by the girls and a she-male. The Windmill did not deny sexual services were performed in the VIP including finger penetration but stated a change of security/girls/improved CCTV etc. The council whilst stating all of the offences also tried to discredit Daniel Owide, son of Oscar as not 'fit and proper' due to two licensed premises he operated/managed (non striptease) in other authorities being reviewed under the Licensing Act.
At the end the magistrate wanted to discuss additional conditions proposed by the clubs QC which alerted the councils QC to interject as they placed to much responsibility on the council to approve new arrangements which may have given the club a better defence if future discretions were found. Hopefully judgement out this week,
Interestingly two prominent licensing barristers who represent other London based lap dancing clubs were also in attendance observing the case. Are their clubs under threat.
Whilst the three London based feminists, whose evidence started the case, were not involved in the appeal, probably the council did not want them to preach their feminist rhetoric, it is believed that they have already gathered evidence against another west end club.
Hopefully their crusade will fail with the Windmills licence being reinstated.
The word around is that Spearm#nt Rh~no were looking to open a Westminster based club.