Bid to open lap dancing and striptease venue at town centre nightclub rejected

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a Sexual Entertainment Venue involving lap dancing and striptease at the Truth nightclub in Warrington town centre have been rejected by licensing chiefs.

Members of the licensing committee had also been “deeply offended” by the applicant referring to female performers as “girls” or “the girls” throughout the application.

The application for a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) was to provide lap dancing, pole dancing, striptease and table dancing on the first floor of the premises on Friars Gate, Warrington, from 7 pm to 3 am seven days a week.

The application to Warrington Borough Council was being made in the name of We Uk Clubbing Ltd.

In support of their application, the applicant Kevin Spencer provided a Risk Assessment for the Pussycat Lounge Wakefield, which has operated as a SEV for the past nine years, without review or “concerning incidents” beyond the typical concerns of operating within a night-time economy.
But members of the committee were concerned that the plans for the operation of the SEV in Warrington were “vague and insufficiently advanced.”

The committee heard that there had been 22 individual objections and one petition signed by 286 people. There was one email in support of the application.
An objection by Cheshire Police had been withdrawn prior to the meeting as it was felt that the conditions agreed between the police and the applicant offered the necessary safeguards for staff and patrons.
But concerns were still raised that a lap dancing, striptease, pole dancing and table dancing establishment could undermine the work done as part of the “Safer Street” scheme in Warrington Town Centre.
While members of the committee accepted that SEV’s of this type are legitimate and lawful economic activity, it was their view that the premises is located within a compact mixed-use area and has an established and developing family-friendly focus, promoting diversity and inclusion. They unanimously agreed that a SEV of this type would not be appropriate.
Chair of the committee Cllr. Hilary Cooksey went on to say: “We would like to add that we were shocked and dismayed that the applicant, and in particular Mr Spencer referred to the female performers throughout the hearings as “girls” or “the girls.”
“Members found this deeply offensive and out of tune with what is expected in today’s day and age.”
When the applicant referred to male-only performers they were referred to as “males” or “men” and not “boys.”
They accepted Mr Spencer’s apology at the end of the meeting.
Commenting on the decision, Local Parliamentary Candidate, Graham Gowland, in whose constituency the club would have operated said: “Having been at the meeting where the application was considered, I know the decision will be met with relief by many local residents. There were major concerns raised about the appropriateness of this application, and while the operator did submit a detailed operating plan, the local opposition made clear this was an unwanted development.”
The applicant now has the option of appealing the decision of the council.

The Truth Nightclub opened in July last year, following the failure of the previous Trilogy nightclub.
Before that, it had been the popular Showbar and has also previously been The Palace Theatre.