Lap Dancing in Durham

Magistrates have upheld an appeal against the granting of a licence permitting lap dancing three nights a week at the Loft nightclub, in Durham City.

The licensing appeal panel backed residents and other opponents of what some termed "a strip club" at the North Road premises.

Panel chairman Glynn Wales said it would aggravate rather than alleviate late night disorder in the area.

The panel agreed that Durham City Council, whose licensing committee granted initial approval, should meet the appellants' costs of £2,795.

Among opponents of lap dancing at the club was Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods who said it was "totally unsuitable" near the city's World Heritage sites. She described the appeal outcome as a victory for local people who stood up for what they believed was right.

She criticised the city's Liberal Democrat-led council over its original ruling: Durham City Council needs to now accept it had the ability and duty to say 'no' to this club opening and, once again, got it wrong. She called on the council to "look carefully" at how it came to its decision.

Durham City Council said "morality" appeared to be the major concern at the original hearing.A council statement yesterday said: Table dancing is not an illegal activity and therefore cannot be refused just because of what it is. There was insufficient evidence given at the initial hearing and the professional bodies did not, and still do not, object to this application, and, they are the very people the panel must consider of importance in looking at such applications, as well as taking into account the concerns of the public.

Nightclub owner Vimac Leisure has yet to comment on the appeal decision.

Opponents had previously made  s silent protest against the planned venue. About 80 people met in Durham City's Market Place to demonstrate against the plans. The protest was timed to coincide with the start of then appeal.

Update: New Lap Dancing Policy

24th December 2007

Durham City Council has published a draft new licensing policy. Councillor Sue Pitts, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: It doesn't alter the legal position in terms of The Loft one bit, which will sadden people I think, because we would have liked to have been protected from that type of application.

The new policy says each application would be considered on its merits, but lap dancing would only be allowed:

• Where it cannot be seen from the street
• In a designated area away from a club's main room
• Where dancers can reach a dressing room without passing through the audience.

The licensing policy was drawn up following a three-month consultation, which ended in October.

Nutters have vowed to fight on in their battle to stop a lap-dancing club in Durham.

South Tyneside-based Vimac Leisure has appealed to the High Court over a decision by magistrates to block its application for a lap-dancing licence for The Loft club in North Road Durham.

Nutters living close to the club have now submitted their evidence against the plans and have vowed to fight until we reach the final tape , even though they could face a massive legal bill if they lose.

Resident Kirsty Thomas said a High Court ruling on the Vimac Leisure appeal could have implications for lap- dancing clubs across Britain: Durham was the first case where residents successfully opposed a licence, yet the 2003 Licensing Act was supposed to consider the wishes of the public. We have submitted our arguments to the High Court, which will decide whether they think Vimac has any grounds for appeal.

Durham City Council's licensing committee initially granted Vimac a licence last August but residents, supported by Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, successfully appealed against the decision.

Nutters are celebrating after a last-chance bid to open Durham's first lap-dancing bar was thrown out.

South Tyneside firm Vimac Leisure went to the High Court to overturn the rejection of its controversial application to start a lap-dancing club in the centre of Durham.

The company sought the Judicial Review after magistrates overruled the city council's approval for the controversial planning application following strong objections from residents.

The decision in London yesterday has been welcomed by Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods who has led a campaign to make it easier for local authorities to turn down attempts to open lap-dancing clubs.

Magistrates found that the city council were wrong in granting the application for The Loft in the first place on all four of the relevant licensing objectives. The High Court has reinforced that decision and found that there is absolutely no need for a review into the matter.

In his decision, senior judge Sir George Newman wrote: It is absurd to suggest that a table-dancing club with booth dancing will not impact upon a neighbourhood. He also cited evidence given by Dr Blackman-Woods.

Nutters have won their long-running fight to stop a Boldon company opening a lap dancing club in Durham City.

The Royal Courts of Justice in London closed the case after Vimac Leisure failed to appeal against the High Court's decision in the given time limit.

The company planned to open a lap dancing club in the Loft nightclub premises at North Road last year but was blocked after residents raised concerns.

In Vimac Leisure's appeal last month, Sir George Newsome, of the High Court, ruled against granting a judicial review of the decision.

The final blow to the leisure company came in a letter from the Royal Courts of Justice.

It stated: No request to reconsider the decision at a hearing has been lodged by the claimant within the period prescribed by the civil procedure rules, rule 54.12(4). Accordingly, I write to inform you that the file in these matters has been closed.

A morality campaign to block a lap dancing club from operating in Consett has been revived.

The opening of Red Velvet in Consett was granted five years ago under the old licensing regime. Nutters were vocal at the time but license was allowed.

The owners have now been forced to apply for a new licence under the new legislation that allows for morality objections dressed up as 'concerns' about the area.

North-West Durham MP Pat Glass is urging people to register their objections with the council. She spewed:

This club was never wanted by local people and its activities are completely out of keeping with the local area.

It is surrounded by three churches, and is close to homes, primary schools and Derwentside College.

But in fact the venue is in perfect keeping with the local area. It is even located above a fish and chip shop.

Glass prattled on:

At the time that the initial licence was granted local people, churches and organisations were very angry that they were not given the opportunity to object to the licence, but they have that opportunity now and can object to the renewal.

I would encourage anyone or organisation who objects to this club and its activities to provide their objections to Durham County Council.

If local people work together we can prevent the renewal of this licence.

People have until January 18 to express their views to the council.

Update: Delayed

21st February 2012. See  article from  thenorthernecho.co.uk

More than 400 people have signed a petition opposing the license and North-West Durham MP Pat Glass has also voiced concerns.

The application was expected to go before Durham County Council's statutory licensing committee on February 28, but the decision has now been delayed and will be heard by councillors at a date yet to be fixed.

A lap dancing club in north Durham has been granted a sexual entertainment licence. The decision means that Red Velvet in Consett will stay open.

But the statutory licensing sub committee of Durham County Council granted the application to Sukhdev Singh Gill, whose lawyer, Richard Arnot said:

While we understand a lot of people oppose what it is done in the premises, the reality is that a lot of people support it and if they did not it would not survive.

The campaign to stop the club by nutters, who objected on moral grounds, was revived after new legislation following a campaign by Durham City MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods.

The authority received nine legitimate objections, including one from Durham Constabulary, to the licence application, and a petition with 443 names in opposition.

After the hearing the town MP Pat Glass whinged:

It is an absolutely appalling decision and I wonder what it is you have to do get a licence turned down.

It is a very bad decision for Consett and it reflects very badly on Durham County Council. People will be justifiably angry.