Strip club license renewal is "great result" for residents (From Your Local Guardian)

Epsom strip club license renewal is "great result" for residents

11:04am Wednesday 23rd March 2011 in Epsom By Charlie Mole

Epsom’s only strip club has had its license renewed without complaint.

Stir on East Street went before a licensing committee on March 15 and was accepted unanimously by council officers in less than five minutes.

RA councillor Neil Dallen who spoke in favour of the club, which offers burlesque and strip shows, said: “This is a great result for residents.

“Neighbours want peace and quiet - this is what they are getting. It is a well-run club and I was happy to endorse it.”

Owner Damon Wellman has claimed that the bar is the only one in the UK that he has heard of that had not stirred up any controversy.

He said:”I’m very pleased with the outcome.

“We have had a lot of support from residents. One guy recently spoke to me and said our club on East Street was very serene - he then turned into the High Street and it looked like Baghdad.

“Residents might not agree with us morally - but we are well run with no disturbance.”

However Jane Race, who lives near to the club says there should have been more of a public consultation.

She said: “It is very disappointing that the strip club licence has been renewed.

"The RA councillors argue that people have been consulted, but consultation letters were not widely distributed as claimed.

"I fear for the safety of young people, who live and go out in the evening in Epsom, if sexual deviants are attracted to the area."