Leeds

Leeds strip club inspired by Playboy Mansion has license renewed for another year

Councillors were told the club operated "safely" and "within the rules."

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 14th June 2023

A Leeds strip club has had its license renewed for a year following a council hearing on Tuesday 13 June.

Councillors were told by a representative of Whiskey Down that the Playboy Mansion-inspired gentleman's club operated "safely" and "within the rules."

They were also informed that the club had updated its dancer welfare pack to include details of trade unions, following a request from the council last year.

The strip club, which is reportedly inspired by Hugh Hefner's library, is lined with bookcases and filled with wingback chairs and leather chesterfields.

Advertised on the club's website there is also a 'revenge' room with a large sphere cage, cuffs and whips, and a bedroom in which performers are handcuffed to an oversized four poster bed for an 'extended private show.'

It offers exclusive application-only membership tiers and describes itself on its website as a 'super luxurious playground'.

Whiskey Down also features a Games Room inspired by Bruce Wayne’s Gotham Manor complete with a pool table and retro playboy pinball machine.

The club’s general manager, Marcus Bentley, told the hearing: “To my knowledge we’ve not had any adverse reaction from local neighbours. I think we still get on with our neighbours, the ones we still have.

“The most important thing on our side is the performers.

“Whatever they’d like we do try to appease them. I feel we’ve done that.

“We operate within the rules and I think we operate quite safely.”

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The club, which is operated by Tokyo Industries, has had issues getting its license renewed in the past after receiving complaints from neighbours, Leeds Civic Trust and a local charity Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL).

In 2018, Leeds Civic Trust raised concerns that the club could cause 'harm' to the local area, arguing that it was 'inappropriate for this important historic building (25 Crown Point) to be used for this function'.

The same year, SARSVL argued that "It (the council) should have adopted a zero tolerance of sex establishments policy but in the absence of this SARSVL does not believe that LCC should license these sex establishments as it is incompatible with the Equality Act 2010, Violence Against Women Strategy and Child Friendly Leeds policy."

However, this week the council hearing was told that a routine visit by the police and enforcement officers had found no safety or welfare concerns and Whiskey Down has now had its license renewed for another 12 months.

Asked if there had been any criminal activity at the venue that needed to be reported, Mr Bentley said: “We can have the odd person we’ve had to eject.

“I don’t think any of those have been created into a police matter. We have very, very good CCTV capturing the front of the building and round the back of the Corn Exchange and we provide the police with evidence of crimes (in the area) which are not related to us.”

Read more: Plans revealed for a new hotel to go up at Leeds Kirkgate Market

The club's license has been renewed on the promise that Whiskey Down will keep to a number of specified conditions, including advertising restrictions.

Featured image - Whiskey Down

Leeds

Leeds farm welcomes five calves from one of the UK’s rarest cattle breeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

One of the rarest cattle breeds in the UK has had calves at Temple Newsam’s farm.

We think this might be the cutest story we've written about all year.

Categorised as ‘priority’ by the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST), Vaynol cows originate from North Wales and were first established in the late 19th Century.

The herd over at Temple Newsam stems directly from that first herd, having lived there since the 1980’s.

Images: Leeds City Council

And now, they've welcomed five new calves - and the beautiful new arrivals are just five of 150 animals in the UK.

Vaynols can now be found in five locations in the UK, with Temple Newsam’s Home Farm currently home to one bull, 14 breeding cows, five heifers these amazing new calves.

Richard Aldis, farm manager at Temple Newsam, said: “We’re so thrilled to have welcomed these little ones to the farm.

“The team here works hard to protect these rare breeds that the farm is home to and it’s always wonderful when we can successfully grow the herd. The calves are settling in well and we’re just thinking about names for them.”

Councillor James Gibson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, said: “It’s wonderful to hear the news about these rare little calves being born, it is truly a testament to the important work that is done by the team at Temple Newsam’s Home Farm in preserving these breeds for future generations.

“There is so much for visitors to enjoy at the estate. Alongside the farm and its wonderful animals, people can explore the magnificent Temple Newsam House, enjoy the new bike park, and visit the recently opened play barn. It really is a fantastic day out for the whole family.”

Read more: A beloved Leeds bar is moving after 15 years – but its new home is only three minutes away

Featured image - Leeds City Council


Leeds

The cult sandwich shop that’s been serving Leeds students since 1994

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Whether you're a student or not, Bakery 164 is a Leeds staple.

And you really can't miss it either.

Standing proudly opposite the Parkinson Steps on the corner of Woodhouse Lane, their bright yellow and red canopy lures you in if the inviting smell of fresh bread hasn't already.

They've been serving the students of Leeds since 1994, and are known for their specialist sandwiches that won't break the bank.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

On a lunchtime you'll have to join the queue of hungry students looking to get their fix, but it's well worth the wait.

The bread is what they do best, every evening they hand mix and hand shape their ciabatta and focaccia dough, which is then baked overnight so it’s fresh out of the ovens in the morning.

Then come the fillings, at Bakery 164 they specialise in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, using seasonal ingredients and local produce wherever possible.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Signature sandwiches include grilled chicken, halloumi and bacon with chilli mayo, prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto and sun-dried tomato as well as meatballs and mozzarella with Reggae Reggae sauce.

A price for a sandwich comes in at around a fiver, and they easily wipe the floor with any meal deal sarnie you can grab from a supermarket round the corner.

Just choose your sandwich, take it to the till and they'll warm it up for you there and then at no extra cost.

And it's not just sandwiches, they've also got fresh coffee on offer to keep you going between lectures as well as a selection of freshly baked cakes and sweet treats.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds


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