The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Thursday 23 April 2026 to consider the renewal of a sex establishment licence for Stir 777. The committee granted the renewal of the licence but reduced the required number of door supervisors from four to three.

Renewal of Sex Establishment Licence for Stir 777

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the application for the renewal of the sex establishment licence for Stir 777, located at 48 High Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1HN. The application also sought to amend condition 45 of the licence, reducing the minimum number of SIA registered door supervisors required on the premises during opening hours from four to three. This amendment had been agreed with the Metropolitan Police prior to the application being submitted.

During the consultation period, one valid objection was received from a resident. The objector raised concerns about weird looking men hanging around the entrance, parking issues in loading areas, and associated noise and disturbance late at night. The objector also stated that the noise from the premises was unbearable and that they had filmed and recorded events. They further argued that the premises were inappropriate for a Royal Borough known for its good schools and family-orientated nature, and that the opening hours were unclear.

Damien Wellman, Operations Manager for Stir 777 Ltd, addressed the committee, refuting the claims made in the objection. He explained that staff do not park in loading bays and that most staff use public transport. He also stated that staff and dancers remain in the building until their transport arrives, ensuring a slow dispersal. Mr. Wellman highlighted that environmental health and the police had no records of noise or anti-social behaviour complaints against the venue in the last three years. He also clarified that the VIP experience mentioned on the website referred to an internal queue skip for a more expensive area, not a queue on the street. Regarding the reduction in door supervisors, Mr. Wellman stated that four were often not needed, particularly on quieter nights, and that the venue had not experienced significant incidents or police call-outs. He also noted that all staff, including bar staff, are SIA trained, providing a layer of security.

Councillor James Giles questioned the applicant about queuing and the stag parties welcome messaging on their website, which appeared to contradict the applicant's statement that they do not cater to stag dos. Mr. Wellman explained that the website might not be fully up-to-date and that they actively discourage rowdy stag and hen parties to maintain a calm environment. Councillor Andrew Sillett inquired about dispersal and the applicant's responsibilities, to which Mr. Wellman responded that the venue is not a last drinking venue and attracts a wide range of clientele, including couples, and does not cater to large, potentially disruptive groups.

Councillor Liz Green raised concerns about the reduction in door staff and its potential impact on the safety of performers. Mr. Wellman assured the committee that safety and respect for performers are paramount, and that CCTV monitoring is extensive. He also stated that while they might still employ four door staff on busy nights, reducing to three on quieter evenings would not compromise safety.

The committee considered the objection received, the applicant's response, and the relevant legislation, including Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 and the Council's Policy on the Licensing of Sex Establishments.

Decision: The Licensing Sub-Committee decided to grant the renewal of the sex establishment licence for Stir 777. Condition 45 was amended to require a minimum of 3 SIA registered door supervisors, a reduction from the previous requirement of 4. The committee found that the grounds for refusal were not met and that the proposed amendment, agreed with the Metropolitan Police, would not adversely affect the licensing objectives.