Nottingham City Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee is set to deliberate on the renewal and variation of a sex establishment licence for Flirtz, a sexual entertainment venue.
The venue is located at 26A Friary Chambers, Friar Lane, Nottingham. The application, submitted on 31 July 2024, requests an extension of the venue’s operating hours and alterations to several conditions governing the venue.
Background and Proposed Changes
Flirtz, which has held a sex establishment licence since 2007, has submitted a request to renew and vary its current licence. The venue seeks to extend its operating hours from the existing 21:00–04:00 hours to 21:00–06:00 hours Monday to Friday, and from 12:00–04:00 hours to 12:00–06:00 hours on weekends. Furthermore, the application proposes several key variations, including:
- Amending the requirement for a minimum of three Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed door supervisors. The new condition would allow the premises supervisor or manager to assess the need for security personnel and adjust staffing levels based on risk assessment, in agreement with Nottinghamshire Police.
- Reducing the minimum age for patrons from 21 to 18.
- Allowing full nudity in certain areas of the venue, specifically outlined in blue on the first-floor plan, with G-strings being required in all other public spaces within the establishment.
Opposition from Nottinghamshire Police
Nottinghamshire Police has objected to some of these proposed changes, particularly regarding the security staffing and age restrictions. The police suggest that, should the committee approve the reduction of the minimum age to 18, the Challenge 21 policy should be replaced with a Challenge 25 policy, increasing the number of patrons required to verify their age. They also recommend that individuals between the ages of 18 and 20 be restricted to the ground floor only.
Additionally, Nottinghamshire Police expressed concerns about the relaxation of the door supervisor requirements, arguing that the existing condition, which mandates at least one SIA-licensed door supervisor at the entrance, should remain to facilitate more stringent age verification.
Legal and Procedural Context
Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, sex establishment licences are reviewed annually. The council has broad discretion in deciding variation requests and may approve, modify, or reject applications based on factors such as the character of the locality, the use of nearby premises, and the suitability of the applicant. The current licence remains in force until the committee reaches a decision.
Implications for the Community
The application comes amid a wider discussion on how sexual entertainment venues impact the safety and attractiveness of local communities. Nottingham City Council’s policy on sex establishments, last updated in 2016, is aligned with the broader strategy of making Nottingham a safer city, fostering partnerships between local authorities, businesses, and law enforcement to reduce crime.
No other objections from the community have been reported in the committee’s public documents, though the decision to amend the age limit for patrons, alongside the extended operating hours, is likely to draw further scrutiny.
The meeting takes place on 24 September.
