Fury as lap dancing club opposite church given permission to open at EVERY Cheltenham race meeting
A LAP dancing club opposite a church can open at every Cheltenham race meeting despite widespread opposition — including from the Justice Secretary.
Eroticats has won permission to operate as a luxury tea and coffee house by day, and fantasy cocktail bar with seven themed rooms at night.
The strip club already runs during the town’s four-day jumps festival attended by a quarter of a million people in March.
It has now been allowed to open for six extra meetings including one before Christmas, and on New Year’s Day.
The town’s Tory MP and Minister for Justice Alex Chalk had argued: “Locating a sexual entertainment venue near to residential properties where children can be expected to come and go would be wholly inappropriate.”
Alwyn Barry, senior pastor of Cambray Baptist Church opposite the venue, said councillors “had no idea how deeply hurtful” such a business was being so close to a place of worship.
One Eroticats performer said they found it “the most organised, safe and enjoyable company to work with”.
But Gilli Appleby, of Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, added: “Research said there was a 50 per cent increase in reported rapes in the vicinity of sexual entertainment venues and women feeling unsafe and increased rates of harassment.”
More than 35 people objected while 49 letters were in support.
Awarding the change in licence to venue boss Steven Burrows, the council’s David Willingham, said: “The activity is lawful and licensing exists to make it safer.
“The council cannot take a moral stance on the activity.”