This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7849914.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Anger over Henley lap-dance club | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Some residents in a picturesque market town famous for its annual summer regatta are up in arms after a lap-dancing opened there. | |
| Diamonds and Pearls opened on Saturday on the site of the former White Lotus nightclub in Henley-on-Thames. | Diamonds and Pearls opened on Saturday on the site of the former White Lotus nightclub in Henley-on-Thames. |
| South Oxfordshire District Council said it had no choice but to give permission for the new club as the premises had previously held a late-night licence. | South Oxfordshire District Council said it had no choice but to give permission for the new club as the premises had previously held a late-night licence. |
| Town councillor Dr Barry Wood has set up a group to try to close the venue. | Town councillor Dr Barry Wood has set up a group to try to close the venue. |
| Dr Wood is organising a rally next weekend and is urging people to sign a petition opposing the establishment. | Dr Wood is organising a rally next weekend and is urging people to sign a petition opposing the establishment. |
| Mary Whitehouse | Mary Whitehouse |
| "I'm appalled on many levels, we've already got tremendous problems with the night-time economy with drunken and abusive yobs," he said. | "I'm appalled on many levels, we've already got tremendous problems with the night-time economy with drunken and abusive yobs," he said. |
| "We're also worried about young people in the town coming into contact with sleazy and sexual imagery, not to mention the extra burden it'll put on policing." | "We're also worried about young people in the town coming into contact with sleazy and sexual imagery, not to mention the extra burden it'll put on policing." |
| The district council said it could not ban the club on moral grounds | The district council said it could not ban the club on moral grounds |
| The town's mayor Gill Zakss said: "It's not what you'd expect in Henley. | The town's mayor Gill Zakss said: "It's not what you'd expect in Henley. |
| "I'm not one of the Mary Whitehouse brigade, but I don't think it'll attract enough customers. I think in this current economic climate it will close down shortly." | "I'm not one of the Mary Whitehouse brigade, but I don't think it'll attract enough customers. I think in this current economic climate it will close down shortly." |
| Mrs Zakss added: "The club has had a chequered history over the last six or seven years and residents have suffered with people coming out drunk and making a lot of noise in the early hours of the morning - it's very un-neighbourly." | Mrs Zakss added: "The club has had a chequered history over the last six or seven years and residents have suffered with people coming out drunk and making a lot of noise in the early hours of the morning - it's very un-neighbourly." |
| The licensing authority, South Oxfordshire District Council, said it had received no objections from the police or residents during the consultation period. | The licensing authority, South Oxfordshire District Council, said it had received no objections from the police or residents during the consultation period. |
| However, a number of conditions were recommended, including changing the club's closing time from 4am to 2am. | However, a number of conditions were recommended, including changing the club's closing time from 4am to 2am. |
| It could be better for the area as customers for lap-dancing clubs tend to be older Chris KnightLap Dancing Association | It could be better for the area as customers for lap-dancing clubs tend to be older Chris KnightLap Dancing Association |
| Leader of the council Ann Ducker said: "We can't ban licensing on moral grounds. "We had to have grounds to reject it; the previous owners had a late licence. | Leader of the council Ann Ducker said: "We can't ban licensing on moral grounds. "We had to have grounds to reject it; the previous owners had a late licence. |
| "There's a loop in the legislation which means you don't need special permission for lap-dancing under an entertainment licence for a late-night club." | "There's a loop in the legislation which means you don't need special permission for lap-dancing under an entertainment licence for a late-night club." |
| The owner of Diamond and Pearls was unavailable for comment. | The owner of Diamond and Pearls was unavailable for comment. |
| Chris Knight, a spokesman for the Lap Dancing Association, said: "If the venue is well run and operated, there's no reason why it would increase crime and disorder. | Chris Knight, a spokesman for the Lap Dancing Association, said: "If the venue is well run and operated, there's no reason why it would increase crime and disorder. |
| "In fact it could be better for the area as customers for lap-dancing clubs tend to be older, more responsible and not as many come through the door as a regular nightclub." | "In fact it could be better for the area as customers for lap-dancing clubs tend to be older, more responsible and not as many come through the door as a regular nightclub." |
| Changes to licensing regulations for lap-dancing venues are currently being considered by the government after complaints from across the country about the number of new establishments. | Changes to licensing regulations for lap-dancing venues are currently being considered by the government after complaints from across the country about the number of new establishments. |