Strippers have been granted the right to continue lap dancing by the council who say a strip club is not in “conflict” with the historic Rows.
The Platinum Lounge had faced an uncertain future after Cheshire West and Chester Council revoked its sex establishment licence in September.
But now staff at the city’s only lap dancing club have been granted the right to continue stripping – after CWaC renewed the licence for another six months with conditions.
Shocked opponents to the controversial club, on Bridge Street Rows, said they would fight the council’s U-turn decision, arguing that the licencing hearing had been “unlawful”.
During the full-day licensing meeting, held almost two weeks ago, campaigners expressed their concerns that supporters of the club were allowed to speak – despite opponents being told by CWaC they would not be able to unless they lodged their objection on a previous occasion .
Reacting to the council’s decision, long-term opponent of the club Deborah Lomas said she would be pursuing CWaC for their handling of the hearing.
“I do not think the council have taken the nature of the sex industry seriously,” said Ms Lomas, of the Rainforest Shop.
“I really believe that they are incapable of conducting a fair or lawful hearing. I am going to have it investigated further.”
Opponents from the White Friars Residents’ Association, argued that the club had adversely affected businesses; was unsuitable for the increasingly residential area; and that the lap dancing “incongruous” with the heritage and family tourist attraction status of the historic Rows.
But the committee’s decision notice reads there was not a “sufficiently clear” or “compelling case” articulated to persuade them that, at the time, the club was incongruous or in conflict with its location on the Rows.
The committee renewed The Platinum Lounge’s sex establishment licence for six months, with conditions, including: the hours for lap dancing be moved back to 6.30pm on race days to “avoid conflict with shoppers” and children visiting the Dewa Roman Experience; a noise management plan be implemented for the outside smoking area; and recommended the club meets with local residents’ associations and businesses.
A spokesperson for the council said objectors who attended the hearing were asked if they would like to speak but refused, saying: “Counsel were there representing the White Friars Association, we are content we carried the full range of objections.”
The hearing came after a High Court Judge quashed the council's original decision to refuse the licence renewal saying the decision had breached the council's constitution, due to being considered by the wrong committee.
