The Public Protection Committee of Cardiff Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the renewal of licences for three Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) located on St Mary Street, and the control of street trading on Wild Gardens Road in Roath Park.

Renewal of Sexual Entertainment Venue Licences

The committee is set to consider the renewal of licences for three Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) located on St Mary Street: Dusk Till Dawn (formerly Fantasy Lounge) at 95-97 St Mary Street, For Your Eyes Only at 90 St Mary Street, and Playhouse Gentlemen's Club at 32 St Mary Street. The report pack indicates that numerous objections have been received concerning these applications. These objections primarily focus on the character of the locality, the use of nearby premises, the concentration of SEVs in the area, and concerns regarding the safety and use of public spaces by women and girls. The objections also reference levels of recorded crime and disorder in the city centre, and Cardiff Council's strategic commitments to addressing violence against women. Research published by FiLiA, titled Life near Strip Clubs: Women's Voices from UK Cities, is cited in several objections, highlighting concerns about women's perceptions of safety and their use of public spaces.

The council's Statement of Sex Establishment Licensing Policy, last updated in 2010, will be a key document in these considerations. The policy outlines grounds for refusal, including the character of the locality, the use of nearby premises, and the number of sex establishments deemed appropriate for the area. The committee will need to consider the cumulative impact of these venues, particularly given their proximity to major transport hubs and residential areas. The report pack also notes that the licence holder for Dusk Till Dawn, JCW (UK) Ltd, is undergoing a rebrand to 'Dusk Till Dawn – Strip & Shot Bar', which is presented as a new identity rather than a continuation of the existing licence.

Control of Street Trading on Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park

The committee will also consider a report requesting the designation of Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park, as a prohibited street for street trading. This road is situated between Lake Road East and Lake Road West, adjacent to Roath Park Lake and the Wild Gardens. Currently, while the surrounding principal roads serving Roath Park are designated as prohibited streets, Wild Gardens Road has remained largely unrestricted, allowing for street trading.

Representations have been received from members of the public, the park concessions, and ward councillors highlighting a range of concerns. These include the increasing number of mobile catering units, obstruction of the road and footway, highway safety issues on an unlit road, the presence of generators and power cables on the highway, semi-permanent structures, litter and waste management problems, an increase in vermin activity, and a detrimental impact on the amenity and character of Roath Park. The report notes that the number of trading units has increased significantly, with up to five units reported at one time, and that some units appear to be operating with a degree of permanence rather than as mobile traders. The proposal to designate Wild Gardens Road as a prohibited street aims to align it with the existing designations of surrounding roads and address the identified issues.

The committee will be asked to indicate its intention to designate Wild Gardens Road as a prohibited street, which would then trigger a statutory consultation process. During this process, all affected parties, including current traders, will have the opportunity to make representations before a final decision is made.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at CR 4, County Hall, and will be filmed for broadcast on the Council's website.