Soho Cabaret Venue Under Scrutiny Following Serious Sexual Assault Allegation
A renowned cabaret club in Soho is set to undergo a comprehensive licensing review later this month after a customer reported being sexually assaulted on the premises. The Box, located on Walker's Court, has had additional conditions imposed on its licence by Westminster City Council ahead of the full hearing.
Police Intervention and Interim Measures
The Metropolitan Police called for interim measures after becoming aware of the alleged incident, which occurred on Monday, January 26. According to a council report, the police stated that the allegation was initially not reported by the venue, constituting a breach of its licensing conditions. The venue later contacted a licensing consultant, who advised them to notify the authorities.
Upon reviewing CCTV footage, police concluded it was clear that the premises had violated several licensing conditions, including those related to record-keeping and codes of conduct. A police report highlighted the severity of the alleged offence, the delayed response from the venue, and the potential risk to other customers.
Licensing Breaches and Public Safety Concerns
The report emphasised that the premises had significantly failed to uphold crime prevention and public safety licensing objectives. It stated, "It is therefore believed that the premises is a risk to the public and it is necessary to suspend the licence until the full hearing." Due to legal requirements mandating an interim hearing within 48 hours of an application, the venue was unable to submit a response in time for the council's report publication.
Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee agreed to impose the additional conditions during a meeting on February 3. A council spokesperson confirmed, "Following a Summary Review Application from the Metropolitan Police, the Council is reviewing the licences held by The Box Soho. The interim steps hearing has placed additional conditions on the venue's licence pending a full licence review at the end of February."
Ongoing Investigation and Future Proceedings
The spokesperson added that the reviews stem from allegations of serious crimes at the venue and noted it would be inappropriate to comment further while the police investigation is ongoing. The Box operates under a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence, which subjects it to stringent regulatory oversight.
This case underscores the critical importance of venues adhering to licensing protocols, particularly in safeguarding public safety. The full licensing review scheduled for late February will determine the venue's future operational status, with potential outcomes including licence suspension or revocation if breaches are substantiated.
