College adds voice against Shrewsbury lap dance bid
Shrewsbury Sixth Form College has joined a growing list of more than 40 objectors to controversial plans for a weekly lap dancing night at a town nightclub.
And ahead of a crunch vote on the plans for Source Vodka Bar in Barker Street next Wednesday, parents from the nearby college have raised fears it could lead to a rise in sexual assaults.
Opponents also claim the licence to use the venue as a ‘sex encounter establishment’ would ‘lower the standards and character’ of Shrewsbury.
A total of 41 objections have been sent to Shropshire Council, including from Shrewsbury Town Council, town MP Daniel Kawczynski and the Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents’ Association.
Rob Bywater, the owner of the nightclub, plans to host a Thursday lap dancing night, featuring a mixture of pole dancing in the club area and lap dancing in private booths. The venue is already allowed to hold lap dancing nights once a month, but due to public demand Mr Bywater said he had decided to apply for the ‘sex encounter establishment’ licence to hold weekly events.
But in a letter the governors of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College said they had a duty of care to ensure their 1,500 students were not encouraged to enter similar establishments through extensive advertising or direct touting.
They added: “We are also concerned that such a destination will lead to a change in the perception of Shrewsbury and in particular this part of town which could be harmful to our business.
“We are not seeking to act as censors, or to be the arbiters of citizens’ tastes. The objection is not directed at the opening of the S.E.E, merely the unsuitable location.”
A Shrewsbury resident, who has not been named, said: “As the mother of a teenage daughter at the Shrewsbury Sixth Form College I believe that the use of the bar for this purpose could attract unwanted visitors and could lead in turn to an increase in indecent assaults.”
Another said: “Granting a licence to have a sex encounter establishment in Shrewsbury town will lower the standard and character of the town.”
Mr Bywater said the idea had been trialled since last August and was ‘very successful’.
Members of the Shropshire Council’s Licensing and Safety Sub Committee will vote on the plans.
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lol
Shrewsbury - scared of change as per usual. When the hell will it join the rest of the world and expand/grow. Glad i got out.
Powys Geezer
'Sensors'? Don't you mean 'Censors'?
Todd Nash
Thanks all for pointing this out. Now changed.
Colin Dodd.
“We are not seeking to act as sensors".
Thus sayeth the board of governors at the 6th form college. Maybe they would like to act as "censors" instead.
Mark
I have a burning hatred for Chinese food, does that mean I should seek to obliterate all establishments that serve Chinese food? Or should I react in the normal way people shoul and just not go in there? This licence will have little or no effect on anyone or anything in the surrounding area, stop being so obsurd and embrace a change for once!!!
Roger
I though the College was leaving the adjacent site to go to the Wakeman. I think they will find that their students will be able to cope with the temptations as the pole dancing will be long after the kids have gone home.
I don't think they need worry about that part of town now. The centre of gravity for bad behaviour seems to have shifted to the area to around the Railway Station after midnight. (Two assaults on the news section today). No doubt down to the Buttermarket becoming our lead night spot and the taxi office and pizza bars. The west end seems to have become the tanking up area before moving on for the late night scene. I don't see pole dancing changing that.
Martin
Ok. 41 objections from a population of approx 80,000? I bet there has been a higher percentage of objectors to the introduction of Sunday parking charges!
Shrewsbury the town to die of suffocation. Get a grip, those that don't want to visit the event don't have to. STCRA et. al appear a little prudish.
dave
An absolutely superb comment Martin.
Also the article mentions : Opponents also claim the licence to use the venue as a ‘sex encounter establishment’ would ‘lower the standards and character’ of Shrewsbury.
WAKE UP PEOPLE ! Stop hiding behind the sofa. Shrewsbury is not just about the town of flowers. What about the goings on in 'massage parlours' - everyone knows about the one by the car wash in Coleham, the one by the old Gay Meadow football ground and of course the infamous one but now closed down in Frankwell.
Sleepy Shrewsbury has probably more underground activity than the London Tube system.
In the summer months, girls wear mini skirts. Are these protestors going to suggest girls from being banned in pubs and bars in Mardol and the like to quash a supposed increase in indecent assaults.