Plans have been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council to transform an East London strip club into a boutique hotel and traditional pub. The proposed redevelopment of The Nags Head on Whitechapel Road in Aldgate comes after the venue faced repeated challenges in retaining its sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence.
Background of The Nags Head
The Nags Head, located at 17-19 Whitechapel Road, has been operating as a strip club since 1980. However, in recent years, councillors have twice voted not to renew its SEV licence, which must be applied for annually. In September 2023, the council's licensing committee voted to revoke the licence following a visit by undercover licensing officers, during which performers breached rules by rubbing their breasts in the faces of officers. The licence was reinstated after an appeal by the venue owners, but with additional conditions attached.
Recent Licensing Issues
In September last year, the licensing sub-committee again voted against renewing the licence, citing concerns about the 2022 breaches. Nearly 300 people had written to the council objecting to the renewal. The club appealed once more and was allowed to retain its licence on 9th December. Despite insisting in a November statement that it would remain in the "safe and regulated environment of adult entertainment," the owner, Nags Head Limited, has now applied for planning permission to convert the building.
Proposed Redevelopment Plans
According to documents submitted with the application, the basement and ground floor would become a "traditional London pub and restaurant." New floors would be added to increase the building's height to five storeys, housing a 24-room hotel. A planning statement argues that the change would "provide a more positive contribution to the local area" and assist the ongoing regeneration of Whitechapel Road. It also notes that neighbours who attended a pre-application consultation event in February "expressed strong support for uses that remain open during the day and provide an active presence on this busy street."
Application Details
Nags Head Limited submitted the application in April, and it became available to view on the council's planning website on Tuesday, 26th May. The plans can be viewed and commented on using reference number PA/26/00704/A1. The Nags Head did not respond to a request for comment.
