Public notices: Bid for sexual entertainment licence renewal at The Honeypot

In the public notices this week, the company running The Honeypot in Queen Street has applied to renew its sexual entertainment licence – a process that whipped up controversy last year.

A venue of this kind must renew its licence every year – but in May 2024, the lap-dancing club unexpectedly saw its renewal application refused by RBWM.

Objections had been lodged by the developers of the large One Maidenhead scheme opposite (formerly the Landing). They claimed that, given the increase of residents in the area, particularly young families, this style of establishment was no longer appropriate there.

Their representatives argued The Honeypot was no longer in keeping with the character of Maidenhead, given the town’s ongoing redevelopment, and was likely to ‘put off’ other businesses.

The Honeypot’s then owner, John Sennett, counterargued that there hadn’t been any objections upheld in the 25-year history of the premises.

He said objections from the developers were based on moral grounds – which is not a valid pathway for refusing a licensing application.

Mr Sennett added that Queen Street is in a designated entertainment area, as defined by the council – and that his establishment counted as such.

Despite this, RBWM's licensing committee turned town the renewal application.

But Mr Sennett fought back, launching a legal challenge against RBWM it said it ‘decided not to defend.’

The Honeypot subsequently reopened in October last year – and the venue has since changed hands.

Now the new owners, Admiral Bars (Maidenhead) Ltd, are seeking their own licence renewal on the same terms. There is no plan vary any of the conditions.

Anyone wishing to oppose the application must give notice in writing on or before October 31, specifying the grounds of their opposition.

This can be emailed to licensing@rbwm.gov.uk or sent by post to: Licensing Team, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF.

View the application at by entering reference 25/0002 into tinyurl.com/yc8fkbhb

Anyone objecting to the transfer of a licence ‘must be prepared to attend in person’ at a public hearing before a council committee.