MP protests against club
Dec 7 2007 by The Journal
AN MP is due to speak in court today against a bid to open a lap-dancing club in her constituency.
Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods will give evidence at the city’s magistrates court during an appeal by residents and church groups against the granting of an entertainment licence by the city council to Vimac Leisure.
The South Tyneside-based company wants to convert The Loft nightspot in North Road into a lap-dancing bar where customers pay £10 to naked girls to give private dances in booths.
Yesterday, before the start of a three-day hearing, around 80 protesters braved the rain to stage a vigil in Durham Market Place.
One of the protesters, Labour councillor Peter Mitchell, of Gilesgate, Durham, said: “North Road is a completely inappropriate location for such an establishment.
“You might as well have it on the Palace Green in front of the cathedral. Where they want to open is on the main route into Durham City centre and the cathedral. This turn-out in appalling weather demonstrates the strength of feeling.”
Mother-and-daughter Christine and Catherine Barker from Newton Hall, Durham, joined the protest. Mrs Barker said: “We don’t want Durham to become known as both The Land of the Prince Bishops and Lap-dancing.”
But Jason Greenwood, managing director of Vimac Leisure, told the panel of magistrates that “between 28 to 30 girls” had already contacted them to inquire about working in the club following publicity about its proposed opening.
Under questioning from his solicitor, Paddy Whur, Mr Greenwood said customers paid £10 to the bar or reception for a ‘dance token’ which they would then present to a girl for a dance.
He said proceeds from the tokens were split “70/30 in favour of the girls”.
Mr Greenwood added: “We have a list of girls who want to work for us. There is no risk of prostitution. The girls are well paid for lap dancing, which is what they want to do.”
In August, Durham City Council’s licensing committee granted an application to Vimac Leisure to run The Loft as a lap-dancing venue, but restricted dancing to Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Today is the second day of a hearing where Vimac are appealing against the opening restrictions – they want lap dancing six nights a week from 8pm to 2am and 12.30am on Sundays – while residents, backed by Ms Blackman-Woods, are appealing against the decision to allow it to open at all.
