A strip club in Reading has launched a bid to keep offering shows and private dances at the town centre venue – plus plans to extend its opening hours.

Black Diamond strip club opened in 2019 in Friar Street and for the past five years has been one of very few gentlemen’s clubs in the area.

The club offers an ‘intimate premium experience’ with dancers and, due to the nature of services provided, the site is required to reapply annually to Reading Borough Council for a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence renewal.

Reading Borough Council can restrict where sexual entertainment venues can open locally. According to the council’s policy, no SEV licences are currently permitted in Caversham, Southcote, Whitley Wood, south east Reading, and Tilehurst. 

A public consultation on Black Diamond’s SEV licence renewal ends on Tuesday, May 14.

Separately, Black Diamond operators Friar Street Leisure Ltd are also hoping to keep the venue open until 6am – an hour extra on the currently open times.

Black Diamond is currently open 10pm to 5am from Tuesday to Saturday, and on Mondays in December.

The club operators have also applied to sell alcohol, play music and host dance performances from 11pm to 6am each night.

A separate consultation is also being held on the extended opening hours and alcohol sales. The deadline for responses is Friday, May 24.

You can comment on that licensing application by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk.