Shrewsbury lap dancing night plans given go-ahead
Shrewsbury’s first weekly lap dancing night has been given the go-ahead – despite dozens of objections.
The controversial plans for Source Vodka Bar, on Barker Street, were approved with conditions by Shropshire Council’s licensing committee yesterday.
The verdict was made after 41 objections were submitted to the council, including from MP Daniel Kawczynski, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association.
The bar will now be permitted to hold the lap dancing night every Thursday from 9pm until 3am for the next 12 months, when the ‘sex encounter establishment’ licence will be reviewed.
There will be tables and chairs in the back half of the bar where four clothed ladies will perform a series of pole dances throughout the night. Three private booths will also be available for one-to-one lap dances which will feature nudity.
The council’s policy stated that it was unlikely to approve such applications in areas that are predominantly residential or close to ‘sensitive premises’ such as schools, places of religious worship or places of education.
But the committee decided – having considered its close locality to Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and the Baptist church on Claremont Street – the venue’s primary focus of a bar and nightclub would not change. Four identical nights have been held at the nightclub since last August on a trial basis, which applicant Rob Bywater has claimed were ‘extremely quiet’.
Tony Mantle, police licensing officer for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, said: “From the records I’ve been monitoring there have been no reported incidents to myself or the police that would impact on crime or anti-social behaviour.”
Mr Bywater today thanked the committee for its ‘open minded approach’ and confirmed the first night will be held next Thursday.
Subscribe to our NewsletterComments for: "Shrewsbury lap dancing night plans given go-ahead"
Jayne Oliver
So, Shropshire Council yet again in tune with residents then?
Barbara
Would that be the residents who were unaware of the use until contacted by The Star?
I suppose had it been Gilbert & Sullivan or Shakespeare it would have been greeted with whoops of delight. What a bunch of snobs.
Stokey
Worth remembering that residents of the town are not restricted to those that live in Georgian splendour or get excited about playing bridge.
reallyconfused
It looks that way, Jayne because if only 41 objected there must be thousands in support of it.
Andy
Ho ho ho...
So the NIMBYs at the STCRA aren't as all powerful as they like to think they are...
Brilliant news!
A Daly
Can you tell me what these abbreviations, NIMBYs and STCRA stand for please
Suspender full of money
NIMBY - Not in my back yard
STCRA - Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association, I'll have at a guess?
ham
NIMBY meaning 'not in my back-yard.'
STCRA being the 'shrewsbury town centre residents association'
Potter
It is not an abbreviation I have checked my enigma code books and it is posh speak for 'we don't want riff-raff like you round 'ere, we only accept 'amlet and The Pirates Of Penzance'
grumpo
Another good one for STCRA is BANANA which equates to " Build Anything Near Anyone Never Again"
Robin Hood
Fingers crossed it will be as successful as the one in the Oakengates (or was it Wellington) and will not require the full 12 months of its conditional license.
Mark
Great news
Nev
Don't like don't go ......simples!
Mark
Absolutely!!!
Dominic W
Can't wait! Will save me a journey to Liverpool!
Chris the Legend
I'm a big fan of these kind of establishments. Love the ones in Crewe especially. Better get saving my pennies!
Dave
I'm saving up now, cant wait. Hope the girls are of a decent standard, save me going to Wolverhampton
Matthew
Although I will not be visiting the venue myself I think that this was a good decision for the club.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions but the police have had no reports of violence, bad behaviour, etc in the trial run and yet the people against the club seem to be using these issues as reasons to stop it from happening.
Sixth form nearby? Yes but don't lessons normally occur between 9am and 4pm?
Residents nearby? Yes but most of the STCRA live on town walls, which to my knowledge is not even within noise range of this venue.
People seem to forget that personal negative opinions aren't the voice of everyone else and this got approved based on legal and planning issues. Don't like it, then don't go out on a Thursday night.
mandii williams
It's all a matter of choice, if the objectors want nothing to do with it then all rhey have to do is not go in.
The Thursday 21.00 to 03.00 'slot' is hardly going to affect the Sixth Form College. If after some time it is found that the older students 'skip' their evening classes to attend the entertainment then something can be done about it- are they lilely to do this?
Ironflag
Bad decision and a perverts charter. well done shropshire council you've nailed another nail into the towns coffin.
Mark
A perverts charter??? Are you for real??? Stop being so myopic and embrace a different aspect of culture for once instead of being so old fashioned.
There was a time when everyone used to go to the toilet in a hole at the bottom of their gardens but now we have these wonderful things called toilets - its called progress, either get on the bandwagon or stay stuck in prehistoric times!!!
Doubter
Did you know theres been an "Adult" shop in Ye Olde Shrowsbury for many years selling Adult Toys, dvd's etc etc... welcome to the modern world.
bashful
How much do these establishments cost to attend?
Jack Shears
Smashing news, will tell the wife I will be working lates on a thursday from now on!
The 5 times Dam Buster
This is fantastic news. I have had so much fun in these establishments in other towns, it's about time we had one down the town.
eva land
A prime example of why it is a waste of money running a two tier planning system.
If a venue such as this or any application has the law on it's side to go ahead why bother paying to then have councillors to pontificate at our expense often costing the taxpayer more of their taxes by them refusing applications which are then won at appeal with costs against the council paid by us.
A democratic system often results in something the majority opposed like Mrs Thatcher for instance but if a planning proposal legally meets council and government guidelines then the councillor aspect is all a bit of a waste of space.
If we take this very easily corruptible aspect of councillor's duties away you would be left with true public service dealing with the mundane and boring parts of their role, supposedly helping their constituents with grievances etc.
Andy w
I will be going on a European break soon and will be visiting many establishments of this nature along my journey,so I for one am thrilled its here in my home town at last
Robert Tressell
How liberal of the planners to cater for the needs of sexual inadequates who obviously can't get gratification in the normal way . Maybe one day they will get around to providing something for us normal people.
Mark
Sorry Russell, not all of us can be a lothario like you!!!
Slope
A quick google reveals that York has a lap dancing club and York is far posher than Shrewsbury.
Port Hill Boy
A very good decision
BDR
A sensible decision I would say. Many of those opposed are doing so on moral grounds but it has to be made for practical or legal reasons. The fact that one bar has to decided to hold it on one night of the week discreatly isnt going to damage the image of the town as some have suggested. It isnt on at the weekends or during the day either so unless you are opposed on principle there isnt an effective argument.