January 2010 Archives

MP John Randall has spoken of his delight that a pub's bid for a lapdancing license was refused.

The De Burgh Arms, in Station Road, West Drayton, had its application refused yesterday at a licensing committee.

Residents in Yiewsley and West Drayton had been angered at the bid at the venue, which is right next to West Drayton rail station.

John Randall (Con) who represents Uxbridge and South Ruislip, said: "I am very pleased with the result, obviously I was opposed to it.

"I just do not think it is the right location for that sort of establishment, I'm delighted.

"Potentially, this whole thing could save the area, as it shows Yiewsley and West Drayton will not be dragged down."

What are your views on the pub's lapdancing knockback?

A PUB'S bid to be converted to a lapdancing bar has been refused by a licensing committee.

The De Burgh Arms, in Station Approach, High Street, West Drayton, had applied for permission to become a venue for lapdancing at the end of December to boost its trade.

The news however angered local residents and MP John Randall, who described the bid as 'a backwards step' for the towns of Yiewsley and West Drayton.

A deciding factor for the licensing committee in their refusal was that the bar was so close to West Drayton train station and the bus stop, and made the site for such a venue far from ideal.

A BUSY doctor's surgery may be relocated across town under controversial plans from Hillingdon PCT.

Developers of the 775 home former NATS site at Porter's Way, West Drayton, have offered to build a medical centre within the newly proposed housing complex- but there has since been uproar after it emerged it could come at the expense of an existing surgery.

The fate of The Green doctors surgery, in West Drayton, has unexpectedly come under threat, and it may itself be relocated to Porters Way.

A CONTROVERSIAL request from a pub for a lapdancing license to boost its trade is being opposed by an MP.

MP John Randall (Con) who represents Uxbridge, has sent two letters of objection to Hillingdon Council's licensing committee, about the proposal from the De Burgh Arms.

The De Burgh Arms, in High Street, Yiewsley, made the application in December, and it will be considered at a meeting on Tuesday 26th January.

Speaking to the Gazette, Mr Randall said: "I'm very disappointed, it is the last thing we need there.

"We are trying to regenerate Yiewsley and West Drayton, but this will give a rather seedy element to it.

"It should be recognised there is a great deal of concern about the type of operation in a prominent High Street location, next to a railway station that is used by a large number of people of all ages.

"I regard this variation could potentially cause a public nuisance and which could lead to public disorder. It could also potentially put under age children in harm's way."

However, Mr Randall, who has campaigned against lapdancing bar Spearmint Rhino in Uxbridge High Street, in the past, is aware that moral grounds and reasons are not considered when it comes to plans.

One of the things Mr Randall is pushing for, in case it is approved, is for a ban on advertising the nature of the entertainment within is imposed, and strict controls about being able to observe from outside.

Concerns from police licensing officer Sergeant Ian Meens have also been raised.

"The pub has had a chequered history with regard to disorder until recent times when it has operated at a more acceptable level.

"There are police concerns based on objectives regarding the supervision aspect of the activity, the link between such entertainment and its association to other offences and the position of the premises to children attending the station and thereby passing very near."

Police have therefore asked for a minimum of two staff to be present at all times, and for it to be impossible to see the dance area from the street, with a strict under 18s policy.

The application refers to a standalone part of the pub which is a detached and standalone bar area.

Petitions from objecting residents from the area will also be taken into consideration at the meeting on Tuesday 26th.