A DECISION is due on an application to award a ‘sex entertainment’ licence to a town centre venue.

It was confirmed in February that Warrington Holdings Group Ltd had applied to Warrington Borough Council for a ‘sex establishment licence’.

This would enable 15-17 Friar’s Gate to be used as a sexual entertainment venue.

The address is the same as Truth nightclub, which has formerly been Trilogy and Showbar over the years

Before then, the Hippodrome has included stints as a music hall, cinema, theatre and bingo hall before becoming a nightclub in more recent times.

Guidance produced by the Home Office defines the types of entertainment surrounding such as licence as lap dancing, pole dancing, table dancing, strip shows, peep shows and live sex shows.

Detail within the application is limited, and it does not expand on what form the entertainment would take if a licence was granted.

A period was allowed for any objections to be submitted to the council, and this has now passed.

The council has confirmed that the application will come before its licencing committee on April 16.

A council spokesman previously said: “As the licensing authority, we must consider any application in accordance with the law.

“There is a 28-day consultation period, and further information is available on our website.”

A petition was previously started by a resident calling on the council to refuse the application, and this received more than 300 signatures before it closed.

This read: “The application lacks detailed information about what form of entertainment would be provided if a license was granted, leaving residents in uncertainty and potential discomfort.

“This could include lap dancing, pole dancing, table dancing, strip shows, peep shows and live sex shows.

“These forms of entertainment can contribute to an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime rates in areas where they are present, according to the Home Office.

“Furthermore, such venues can have detrimental effects on community cohesion and property values, according to the Journal of Urban Economics.

“We believe that our community deserves transparency about developments that could impact our safety and quality of life.

“Join us in urging the council to deny this license application for the sake of preserving our community's integrity.”