Legal battle against Leamington sex club is cancelled

The Hindu Religious Association of Leamington and Warwick was due to be heard at a hearing at High Court in its challenge of Warwick District Council’s granting of a sexual entertainment licence to Shades in High Street.

But the association this week announced it was withdrawing its challenge - and the council has agreed to contribute towards the cost of the claim.

Yash Pal Tara, of the association, said members had felt that the way in which the council made its decision was “legally flawed”.

He said: “The way the process was handled offended our sense of natural justice. Companies such as Shades can afford specialist legal advice and representation which is beyond the reach of local people.

“We feel vindicated that we were granted permission for a judicial review, but on balance, there are better ways to oppose Shades and significant taxpayers’ money would be spent on this case. We did not want that.”

Cllr Michael Coker, responsible for policy on community protection, said: “We appreciate that the licensing of sexual entertainment venues is a contentious issue and that the claimants challenged the decision in what they considered to be the interests of local people.

“It is appropriate that the parties should share the costs to prevent considerable amounts of public time and money being spent on a hearing in the High Court.”