Licences have been granted to two lapdancing clubs in the centre of Weston, despite concerns being raised over their locations.

Both Shadow Lounge in Regent Street and T’s in Oxford Street went before a licensing committee at North Somerset Council last week.

Objections had been raised against granting permission to T’s on the grounds that it was an inappropriate place for such a club, being near to Emmanuel Church and the Quaker Meeting House.

North Somerset Council ward member Mike Bell had raised objections to Shadow Lounge being granted a licence.

But councillors on the planning and regulatory (licensing) sub-committee granted both licences on November 29, with the proviso that both open no earlier than 10pm, and that outside signs must not specifically mention pole dancing.

The applications came after a new law came into force earlier this year, requiring existing premises to re-apply for their licences. Councillor Bell said he was disappointed with the decision.

He said: “I have no objection to businesses operating in any way which the law allows, but I do feel that these two locations in the tourism and leisure heart of Weston are not the right places for these kind of premises.

“I am particularly disappointed that the licence for T’s in Oxford Street was granted despite opposition from myself and local religious and community groups.”

“It is difficult to imagine a more inappropriate location for a strip club. We now have two strip clubs in the small area of Regent Street and Oxford Street and I do worry about how many more will be permitted.”

After the decision, Shadow Lounge owner Jesus Rodriguez Casas said: “I am pleased that our licence has been granted, but it will not make much of a difference to how the club is run, as we would have opened at these hours anyway.”

Reproduced from the Weston Mercury