Consultation on local strip clubs and sex shops considered
By James Smith 17th Mar 2026
Local residents may be given the chance to have their say on the district council's 'sexual entertainment establishment' policy.
Councillors will next week decide whether to launch a public consultation on changes to the policy, which is due to be updated for the first time since March 2021.
In March 2014 a public consultation run by Warwick District Council showed locals wanted the town centres of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth and Whitnash to not have any sexual entertainment venues.
"Most respondents stated that they believed that a nil limit would be appropriate for these areas of the district and this was subsequently adopted as council policy," the report said.
It continued: "There are areas of the district which are not subject to the nil limit.
"This does not mean that the council considers that these areas are more suitable than the areas specified on the council website for the location of sexual entertainment venues.
"Applications for sexual entertainment venue licences in these areas will be decided on their individual merits."
While no major changes are proposed to the policy, Warwick District Council said it needs to make sure its guidance for sex shops, sex cinemas and sexual entertainment venues is up to date.
However, there could be a large number of tweaks made to the way objections are handled, how the policy is enforced and conditions on licences.
"There are no changes to the intent or direction of the policy, which sets out how the council seeks to regulate sexual entertainment establishments under its control and provides a framework for consistent decision making," a report due to be discussed by councillors said.
There is currently just one venue in the district which has a sexual entertainment licence: Shades Gentleman's Club on Wise Street, Leamington.
If the council agrees to the consultation, the outcomes would be considered by councillors in September.
The report will be presented at the licensing and regulatory committee on Tuesday 24 March.
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