AN ADULT entertainment venue in Reading town centre wants to renew its licence and open for longer.
The Black Diamond bar opened on Friar Street in 2019.
It says it offers an ‘intimate premium experience’ with dancers.
Due to the adult nature of services provided, owners are required to renew their sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence on an annual basis.
Reading Borough Council can restrict where such venues can open locally. According to the council’s policy, no SEV licences are currently permitted in Caversham, Southcote, Whitley Wood, south east Reading, and Tilehurst.
A public consultation on Black Diamond’s SEV licence renewal ends on Tuesday, May 14.
Separately, the venue’s operators Friar Street Leisure Ltd are also hoping to keep the venue open until 6am. Its current hours are 10am-5am Tuesdays to Saturdays, and on Mondays during December.
They want to sell alcohol, play music and host dance performances from 11pm to 6am each night.
The deadline for responses on this consultation is Friday, May 24.
In both cases, comments can be made to the council’s licensing department, by emailing: licensing@reading.gov.uk. These will be publicly accessible.
