 Plans
to open a strip club in Sutton Coldfield have been turned down because
of the perception it would increase crime and seedy activity.
The bid by Flints wine bar in Belwell Lane, Mere Green, to re-brand
itself as the Pussycats Gentlemen's Club was thrown out by the city
council after more than 100 nutters sent letters objecting to increases
in late night noise, crime and nuisance as well as the moral decline of
the area.
Licensing committee chairman David Osborne said: The application is
refused. We are particularly concerned at the increase in noise nuisance
and anti-social behaviour.
In an attempt to appease protesters the licensee Deirdre O'Rourke, who
has 35 years experience running pubs, offered to cut back closing times
from the initial suggested 3.30am to 1am weekdays and 2am at weekends,
in line with other Mere Green nightspots.
But it was a late change of heart by local police, who at first had no
formal objections, which swung the three-strong licensing committee
against the introduction of nude dancing in Mere Green.
Sutton Coldfield police inspector Tom Hadley told the committee that
whether or not crime would in reality increase was not the issue. He
argued there was a widely held perception among locals that seedy
activities such as prostitution, drug dealing and alcohol-fuelled
disorder would soar. We not only measure reported crime, but also how
safe people feel, and community harmony. It's about reassurance, trust
and confidence I believe that as a direct result of this application
people in the area are more fearful of crime and more fearful of going
out after dark.
He recognised that there were initially no objections from his licensing
officers, who had worked with Mrs O'Rourke to ensure it would be a
well-run and discreet club. But added that the public reaction in recent
weeks had persuaded him it would be a bad idea.
But retired police officer Sid Wood, speaking on behalf of Mrs O'Rourke,
had argued that the club would cause less nuisance than the existing
Flints wine bar. He said: At the moment people drink outside, there
is music playing all even-ing. Under the new licence this would stop at
8pm. The only activity outside would be the occasional smoker.
Following the committee's decision he said that it was ‘likely' they
would appeal against the decision. An appeal would be heard by
magistrates.
It is timely to recall senior police evidence
presented at a Commons culture committee investigation into lap dancing:
Chief Inspector Adrian Studd, of the Metropolitan Police, said local
residents often wanted officers to take action on moral grounds.
He told the Commons culture committee such clubs were usually
well-run and had a high staff ratio to customers. Often people look for a moral decision, which is sometimes very
difficult for police and local authorities to make.
It is true to say there is no evidence they cause any crime
and disorder, or very rarely, because they tend to be fairly well-run,
they tend to have a fairly high staff ratio to customers, the people who
tend to go there tend to be a bit older, so they don't tend to drink so
excessively and cause... problems outside.
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