Move over lap dancing, it’s show time!

That’s the stance of The Platinum Lounge in Bridge Street Row, Chester, which failed in a bid to renew its sexual entertainment venue licence.

Instead the same dancers have this week been learning new moves ready for when the club reopens as a burlesque show bar this Friday (July 24) – although the club will still be holding lap dancing nights 11 times a year as allowed without a licence.

Just as before there will be one-to-one dances priced £10 each, but promoters say performances will be art, not adult entertainment, with dancers wearing basques and stockings and no apologies for the gratuitous use of feather boas. Any sexual connotations are in the mind of the customer, say organisers.

But the debate is sure to rumble on. Camden Council previously tried to licence burlesque performances in the same way as strippers and lap dancers but was forced to backtrack. Cheshire West and Chester Council’s approach is not yet clear.

Dan Phillips, who recruits the dancers for Platinum Lounge and whose wife Emma-Louise is one of the performers, said: “A beautiful description I heard of burlesque was the ‘art of stripping’. It doesn’t turn anyone on. It’s artistic entertainment like the ballet. I think there’s an even greater market out there for burlesque compared with lap dancing.”

Platinum Lounge dancers 'Emma-Louise' and 'Kammy' at the venue in Bridge Street Row

Emma-Louise, 32, commented: “I think it will be interesting. I think if it’s done in the right way and everybody puts the effort in, it could be a positive thing really.

“I’m just learning myself. It’s more exaggerated (than lap dancing), it’s more of a tease and a show, more theatrical really. There are lots of lap dancing bars in the country but not many burlesque bars.”

Still reeling from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision not to renew the SEV licence, she added: “They are taking away a very responsible, safe club and more fool them.”

Burlesque tutor Rose-a-Lisa, a former Platinum Lounge dancer, who now runs her own dance and fitness studio at Tower Wharf, has been teaching the girls how to adapt to the new style of performance and says they’re ‘amazing’.

“They’re picking up all the techniques,” she said. “I’m just here to offer a bit of inspiration.”

The Platinum Lounge, Chester

Explaining burlesque, she added: “I would say that burlesque is more exaggerated stripping in terms of the movements and there are bigger props. You can get really creative with it.”

Asked whether it was not quite as explicit, she replied: “No, but it can be. It can be whatever you want it to be.” Would the customers appreciate it the change? “I guess we’ll have to wait and see!”

Talking about the decision not to renew the SEV licence, she commented: “I think it’s a shame. Off the back of doing this job I’ve now got a business which I absolutely love. It’s my passion. I do national competitions. I’ve just won a competition and this gave me all those opportunities. Nobody’s hurting anybody.”

Opponents have argued the girls are being financially and sexually exploited, to which Rose-a-Lisa, real name Rachel, responds: “Not true at all. People do this because they want to.”

One of the performers ‘Becky’, 22, a law with criminology student, is paying her way through university by dancing having started at the club doing reception and promotional work. She says performing has seen her confidence rocket but says learning burlesque will be a new challenge.

“It’s difficult. To be honest taking off my shoes while performing, that in itself is a new regime for me. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope with burlesque – I’m not elegant at all!”

Tackling some misconceptions, she added: “People hear the word ‘stripper’ and automatically ‘slags’. They don’t get the fact we are just normal human beings trying to make a living.”

Fellow student and young mum ‘Emily’, 20, says not getting naked will be the hardest thing about burlesque. “I’ve got so used to it, it’s going to be difficult for me, keeping my clothes on!”

Performer ‘Cara’ was celebrating her 21st birthday on the day of the burlesque workshop and heading off to Cruise afterwards. She invites customers old and new to enjoy this evening’s (Thursday) last ever night as a lap dancing venue.