Westminster City Council has approved a revamp of the Windmill Theatre, despite some objections from local residents.
The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Thursday 10 July 2025 to consider an application from Rkw Ltd to vary the sexual entertainment venue premises licence for the Windmill Theatre, located at 17-19 Great Windmill Street. The proposed changes involve amending and removing certain conditions on the licence and varying the layout of the premises. According to the Windmill Report, the applicant, Rkw Ltd, proposed to amend condition 24 and 25 and remove condition 26 and 38 of the license.
Specifically, Rkw Ltd sought to:
- Amend Condition 24: Replacing the original condition restricting relevant entertainment to bona fide theatrical or staged performances with a condition allowing relevant entertainment from a stage or table-side performance, but prohibiting it in private booths.
- Amend Condition 25: Replacing the original condition regarding admission to the premises with a condition that after 11 p.m., admission would be limited to those who have paid an admission charge of at least £10, persons attending a private function, persons attending a Proprietor's function, and the bona fide guests of the Proprietor.
- Remove Condition 26: Which stated that
Any performance of relevant entertainment must commence and conclude on the stage area of the premises.
- Remove Condition 38: Which stated that
There shall be no performance of Relevant Entertainment in the Royal Box as marked on the Premises Plan.
While the applicant, Rkw Ltd, has not requested to change the relevant entertainment or remove any standard conditions, the proposal drew objections from interested parties. The application received two objections from interested parties, however, the objectors wished to remain anonymous. However, the council's licensing authority initially objected to the application on 27 May 2025 but withdrew their objection on 12 June 2025 after proposed conditions were agreed with the applicant. These conditions included requirements for staff training, welfare policies, and a code of conduct. The specific conditions agreed upon between the council's licensing authority and Rkw Ltd are:
- The Licence Holder shall devise, implement and maintain a Training Regime for all staff (including self-employed performers) working in customer facing roles at the Premises; and All SIA licensed door supervisors engaged by the Premises.
- Staff (including self-employed performers) and SIA licensed door supervisors shall not be permitted to commence work at the Premises until such time as they have undergone induction training. The Training Regime shall, as a minimum, cover the following: The hours and conditions of this SEV Licence; The Licensing Objectives for Sexual Entertainment Venues; The Premises' Welfare and Safeguarding Policy; & Identifying and safeguarding intoxicated and vulnerable individuals (alcohol and prohibited substances).
- All training at the premises shall be dated and signed off in writing by the Licence Holder. A record of such training shall be kept on the premises for inspection by authorised officers of the council and the Police.
- Training Records shall be kept for customer facing staff including door supervisors. A record of such training shall be kept on the premises for inspection by authorised officers of the council and the Police during all trading hours. Training records shall be kept for a period of 18 months from the date on which the training was delivered.
- Performers shall be trained on the Code of Conduct. A record of such training shall be kept on the premises for inspection by authorised officers of the council and the Police during all trading hours. Training records shall be kept for a period of 18 months from the date on which the training was delivered.
- The Licence Holder shall devise, implement and maintain the following policies in relation to the provision of relevant entertainment at the Premises: Customer Complaints Policy Welfare and Safeguarding Policy, including a Performer Welfare Policy Noise Management Policy Drugs Policy Performers and Staff Complaints Policy Code of Conduct Copies of these policies shall be kept at the Premises and made available for inspection by authorised officers of the council and the Police on request.
- The Licence Holder shall designate a member of staff as responsible for staff and dancers welfare at all times that the Premises are open for relevant entertainment and for a period of 30 minutes after the Premises closes to customers. The designated staff member shall be identifiable at all times when on duty.
According to , Vice President UK of Spearmint Rhino UK and a director of RKW Ltd, the application aims to enable the Windmill Theatre to operate as a high-quality sexual entertainment venue with dining, varied stage shows and table-side dancing.
RKW Ltd took over the lease in 2024 and plans to invest several million pounds in a comprehensive refurbishment if the licence is granted.
Edward Sherry OBE, Director of Strategic Licensing & Night-Time Economy, stated that in his experience, well-managed upmarket venues of this nature do not generate crime and disorder. He added that the proposed variations to the conditions would not adversely affect the surrounding area. The report from Edward Sherry OBE, Director of Strategic Licensing & Night-Time Economy, states that the proposed variations to the conditions would have no adverse effect on anything going on outside the club.
The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) consisted of Councillor Aziz Toki ( Chair of Licensing), Councillor Melvyn Caplan, and Councillor Angela Piddock. The agenda for the meeting included consideration of licensing applications for 100 Wardour Street, Pepe's Piri Piri at 151 Edgware Road, and 1 Cavendish Square, in addition to the Windmill Theatre application. These other applications will be covered in separate reports.
