Plan for lap dancing club

Shrewsbury could soon have its first lap and pole dancing club, it was revealed today. The exotic dancing club would also offer half-naked and nude table dances and private performances.

The venue, described by applicants Gemini Games Ltd as a "gentleman's club", would be in Castle Gates. Managing director of the Wellington-based firm Stuart Evans said there were "many positive attributes" to the plans.

Mr Evans said he realised "such clubs are ill thought of on moral grounds".

He added: "I fully recognise that we set the precedent for lap/pole dancing in Shropshire for the future.

"It is to be used and known as an upmarket gentleman's club with licensed bar where semi-nude and nude dancing will be performed by way of table, pole and lap dancing."

But fully-naked performances will only take place in a private VIP area at the end of a performance - the rest of the time female dancers will wear a G-string and male dancers will wear a pouch.

The Castle Club would occupy the first and second floors of Central Hall, which is currently the Shropshire Business Centre.

The applicants say the club's main audience is expected to be "affluent professional males".

Mr Evans said today: "It's not going to be a seedy club.

"We think it will be a great asset for Shrewsbury - it's modern and there's nowhere really in Shropshire for business people to go," he added.

He said there would be a discreet access for clients via the Dana steps and possibly a VIP entrance at the front.

The plans for the site, between The Vaults and The Lucroft Hotel, have been submitted to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.

Planning services manager Geoff Harrison said: "The application has only just started its process. It also needs a licence as well as planning permission.

"It will probably go to committee at the end of April."

Carol Foster, licensing officer, said the club would need a premise licence for the performance of dance, stating it was for adult entertainment.

Last month, tough rules banning new sex shops opening in Shrewsbury were scrapped by councillors.

By Rebecca Lawrence