Posted: Fri 17th May 2019

Plans for lap dance club in town up for debate next week as application receives mixed response

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Friday, May 17th, 2019

Police chiefs in Wrexham have raised no objections to plans for a lap dance club to open in the town, despite community leaders voicing concerns for public safety.

The proposals for XS Wrexham on Abbot Street have attracted objections from members of Offa Community Council, who believe it could lead to an increase in crime and disorder.

New details have been released ahead of the application for a sexual entertainment venue being considered by politicians early next week.

Documents submitted by club owner David Thomas show both lap dancing and pole dancing would take place at the venue on Friday and Saturday nights with full nudity allowed.

But Mr Thomas, who also runs the Penny Black bar on the same street, said customers would not be allowed to touch the dancers and a strict over 18s policy would be implemented.

North Wales Police’s licensing team said it would not be opposing the plans subject to strict CCTV monitoring being put in place.

In a letter to Wrexham Council, licensing officer Ann Williams, who is based at the force’s new  headquarters in Llay, said: “I write with reference to the above application, which has been discussed with Inspector Vic Powell, the officer responsible for this area.

“North Wales Police make no objections to this application. However, it is requested that the following conditions be attached to the licence.

“A tamperproof CCTV system must be installed at the premises and will be used to record during all hours that relevant entertainment takes place on the premises.

“North Wales Police and the council will approve the CCTV system and its operating procedure.”

Mr Thomas originally applied to the local authority for a sex establishment licence the club in 2015.

However, it was rejected by councillors amid concerns from neighbours and religious leaders from nearby St. Giles’ Parish Church about the location.

Members from Offa Community Council have reiterated their fears about the proposals in advance of them being considered by the county council’s licensing committee.

They claimed the opening of the club, along with the lack of policing in the town at night, would add to problems in the area.

Karen Benfield, clerk to the community council, said: “Members consider that an establishment of this nature is inappropriate and would have a negative effect on surrounding residential properties and businesses.

“In the immediate vicinity there are already several residential properties above businesses premises as well as a student’s hall of residence that could be affected by late night noise and disruption. ·

“A venue of this nature could compromise public safety if it is located in the heart of the town amongst the many licensed premises and nightclubs on Abbot Street and Town Hill.

“The police cover is often stretched at weekends in the town and there would be an added potential for disorder.”

The plans were previously thrown out on the grounds of there being two existing sexual establishments in the area, but a sex shop on Yorke Street has since closed.

A new potential stumbling block has been revealed though after the authority said the club does not have the relevant planning permission to operate as a sexual entertainment venue.

In order to ease some issues raised, Mr Thomas said the windows of the venue would be blacked out and there would be no external signs to advertise it.

In his submissions, he also highlighted his previous experience of running licensed premises in Wrexham.

He said: “I have been active in the leisure industry in Wrexham for over ten years and my businesses currently employ 22 local people.

“For the last seven years I have run the Memorial Hall on behalf of Wrexham Council.

“I am currently the chairman of Pubwatch and Nightsafe and under my leadership the Wrexham Best Bar None (BBN) scheme won the national award for BBN schemes and was awarded second prize in the national Pubwatch awards.

“I have an excellent relationship with all responsible authorities.”

No recommendations have been made to councillors ahead of the meeting to consider the application on Monday 20th May.

They will instead be asked for form their own conclusions based on the information in the report.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).



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