Lap dancing in Kilkenny

The news that Kilkenny city was to have its first lap dancing club was something for the local papers, hardly worth stopping the presses of national publications for.

Now, after two months of legal wrangling, the case could become one of national significance, potentially giving local authorities the power to decide whether such premises should be allowed to open.

Kilkenny Borough Council is serious about stopping this club. Last week, it called in An Bord Pleanala, who have been asked whether or not the proposed club constitutes a "development". If it does, the operators will have to apply to the council for planning permission.

With every councillor opposing the development, this would block the opening of the club. The case has been adjourned until January 22.

Councillors have rounded on the proposed club, which the operators, Whispers Entertainment Ltd, say will feature girls from Ireland and Europe. Whispers want to transfer their licence to a pub formerly known as The Widow McGraths on Parliament Street, with a sports bar downstairs, and women dancing and stripping for men upstairs.

Some feel that the authorities are becoming too strict. Artist and creator of Kilkenny Arts Week Ramie Leahy said: Where is the fun in Kilkenny now? They've become too conservative. You can't get a drink anywhere after half past one -- and now this.

Cllr McGuinness said: I'm a young politician, but I don't want this in Kilkenny because I think it is both morally wrong and bad for the image of the city. We're trying to get rid of stag parties, not encourage them.

Mayor Fitzpatrick said: Everyone I have met is against the opening of the club. People in Kilkenny don't want it. Parliament Street is one of the most historical and cultural parts of the city. She pointed out that lap dancing clubs get men worked up and then turf them back out on the street, frustrated.

An ad interim licence has been granted to Whispers Entertainment Ltd to open a pole-dancing club. Whispers Entertainment Ltd are now open for business in the Widow McGrath's Pub on Parliament Street from Friday January 25.

Solicitor for Whispers Entertainment Ltd, Patrick Casey said: I can confirm that the club is opening for business in Kilkenny on Friday and the owners look forward to running it in a business-like manner, as they have been doing in Waterford for the last four years without any difficulty. During that time the business hasn't received any garda complaints, convictions or prosecutions.

It's the beginning of the end for Kilkenny city. I'm very saddened and disappointed by the decision to grant a licence, but it is now out of our hands, said Marie Fitzpatrick, the old prude Mayor of Kilkenny: It's also going to take a lot from the tourist trade that we depend on here, as well as adding fuel to the drinking culture. I also believe the crime rate for assaults on women will go up.

I know people will think I'm being old fashioned, but someone has to stand up for morals. I'm not an old prude, I'm not anti-social and I'm not against alcohol ...[BUT]... It's just the long-term effects for Kilkenny city I'm concerned about,

However, not everyone shares the same opinion. Manager of the Watergate Theatre Ger Cody doesn't think the pole-dancing club will have a major effect on the local theatre which is located across the street from the new club: If it wasn't for all the publicity many people wouldn't even be aware of it. Whoever wants to use it, they'll find it and for those who don't want to use it, life will go on.

I remember the exact same debate when the adult sex shop was planning to open on Parliament Street, said Fine Gael Cllr Pat Crotty. It's not even a storm in a tea cup and in six month's time people won't even remember it.

Counsel for Kilkenny Borough Council also told the court that they had not received a reply from An Bord Pleanála having referred the matter to them on January 3.

The local authority is seeking an opinion from the planning authority as to whether or not the application from Whispers Entertainment constitutes 'a development' which would indicate a change of use of the premises. Superintendant Pat Mangan told the court on Tuesday morning that a response from the planning authority is expected within six weeks.

Update: Renewed

15th October 2008. Based on article from independent.ie

They've no choice, do they? That's lap-dancing club owner Dave Coughlan's response when asked whether the people of Kilkenny have now come to accept his controversial club, Whispers .

Whispers Sports Bar and Pole-dancing Club received an annual licence for its city centre venue without a murmur recently -- at least in comparison to the uproar that ensued after the granting of the first ad-interim licence.

There were no formal objections to the renewal of the licence before the court, though objections from the local authority, disgruntled residents and the former Mayor Marie Fitzpatrick had formed strong opposition the first time around.

Update: Failed

8th November 2008. Based on article from kilkennypeople.ie

Nine months after opening in a storm of nutter controversy, Kilkenny's first and only lap-dancing club has quietly closed its doors. The new Secrets Lap Dance Club has taken over the premises.

A spokesman for Secrets said the company had bought the lease for the club off Whispers and had already applied for, and been granted, a new operating licence: They weren't doing very well and we've got a bit more experience .

Lap dancing Kilkenny's Parliament Street is to cease from this weekend, following a decision by planning body, An Bord Pleanala.

It was decided on Monday that lap dancing does not come under the remit of a pub licence and therefore constitutes a change of use.

This means that the owners of Secrets Lap Dancing Club will have to apply for planning permission before it can trade as a lap-dancing club. This process will take a minimum of eight weeks and could take several months depending on whether or not there are third party objections.

If lap dancing continues, the local planning authority, Kilkenny Borough Council, will take enforcement procedures which could include seeking a court injunction to have the entire premises shut down.

Fine Gael councillor, Paul Cuddihy told the Kilkenny People that he was delighted with the decision. "I raised this matter at a local authority meeting over 12 months ago and Council officials went to court the following day to see whether the lap-dancing club vindicated a change of use: While I do not want to prejudice any future planning application ...[BUT]... it is my belief that a lap dancing club is not an appropriate type of development .

Meanwhile, Labour councillor Sean O'hAargain echoed the nonsense: There is no place for a lap-dancing club in Kilkenny and it is my belief that this sort of activity constitutes the exploitation of women .

Update: Closed

25th January 2009. Based on article from kilkennypeople.ie

The club has not opened since the news of the planning body's decision filtered through.