Lap Dancing in Torquay

Police have slammed plans for a new lap dancing bar on Torquay harbourside, supposedly fearing it will stretch resources and encourage anti-social behaviour in the drinking hotspot.

The new owner of Vaults restaurant on Victoria Parade has applied to vary its premises licence to allow lap dancing and striptease entertainment provided by male or female artists until 4am every day.

He pledges it will be a classy establishment, decorated and run in the same manner as Play nightclub which he also owns and which has attracted praise from the authorities.

The police have objected to the Vaults application, predicting it will impact on crime and disorder. Chief Supt Jo Tennant, commander of the Devon Basic Command Unit, said research 'clearly' indicates a substantial reduction in anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder, particularly assaults, damage and drunkenness around the pubs and clubs at that end of town.

Tennant added: I have great concerns that should this later licence be permitted, the success achieved to date will be reversed, with increased crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area, which in turn would stretch police resources and affect policing in other parts of Torbay.

The opening of the lap dancing venue would also undermine the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm, she said.

Mr Ireland, who bought the restaurant a few months ago, successfully applied for a new licence and is now seeking to introduce live music and adult entertainment. Ireland said they have consulted with all authorities before lodging the new application, which he says meets all the licensing objectives. He said a strict set of rules will be on display at tables and on the door, to coincide with strict entry, age and drink policies.

Three members of the public have written letters of objection to the council. One said Play has so far been excellent with no trouble at all to my knowledge. However, a second club with dancers would only degrade this part of the town. I believe we should be cleaning up Torbay with a welcoming family environment, not strippers.

The council's Environmental Protection team have suggested conditions to control the noise levels. A number of controls have been put forward by the Safeguarding Unit to protect children from harm.

Police have welcomed Torbay Council's decision to reject plans for a lap dancing club.

The licence variation would have allowed lap dancing and striptease entertainment provided by male or female artists until 4am every day. But the council turned down Kingswood Property Management's application for a variation of licence at Vaults Restaurant on Victoria Parade, Torquay.

Police said the late-night licence would contribute to crime and disorder in an area of Torquay known for its high incidents of trouble.

However, at yesterday's meeting of the council's licensing sub-committee, Kingswood Property Management said the application met all the licensing objectives laid out by council officers.

Included in the licence application were regulations stating that 'there would be no physical contact between performers and customers, except for the placing of a tip in the garter (females) or armband (males)'.

Speaking on Kingswood Property Management's behalf, solicitor Rob Newman said: Lap dancing is a form of performance dance. There are some people who might object, but this committee here isn't dealing with morals.

The operators operate good premises. There's no reason why a late-night licence should lead to crime and disorder. This isn't intended to be a large operation. The application is for a maximum of 150 people, but in reality my client is looking at a maximum of 100 - and they won't all be there at the same time. Customers will be controlled going in, while they're in there and when they are going out. This will be one of the most controlled places in Torbay.

The application was debated for more than two hours before councillors finally decided to refuse the licence application.

Brett Sinclair, managing director for Kingswood Property Management, said there was a chance he would appeal against the decision.