New strip club application is rejected by councillors

Applicant David Plant had hoped to acquire a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) Licence for the former Studio 46 nightclub on Rodney Street.

However, after four hours of discussions and deliberations, councillors on Wigan Council’s regulation committee denied the application on the grounds of locality and the suitability of the applicant.

Mr Plant said that he hoped to open the venue, under the name Sin-til-Late on May 19 once the necessary building work had been completed.

He also requested to vary condition 30(g) of the Standard Conditions, which would allow a performer to remove their g-string during a private performance.

Mr Plant, who has never held an SEV licence, also told the committee that the club would hold ladies’ nights and LGBT nights and that he would be targeting the club at the over-30s market. He added that it would also sell more upmarket drinks.

He told the committee: “We are looking to run a quality establishment, providing a safe environment for both customers and staff alike that compliments the other upmarket venues that have recently established themselves in the local area.

“We intend to implement a membership scheme that will benefit our customers as well as the security advantages it would bring.

“Regulated entertainment will take place between 9pm and the end of the alcohol licencing hours that are currently in place at 6am.”

One issue Mr Plant was keen to pick up on was an inspection report, led by Wigan Council enforcement officer Ian Whistlecroft, published before yesterday’s meeting.

It was critical on a number of areas, stating “I formed the opinion that Mr Plant was lacking the basic experience and knowledge that would be necessary for sunning such an establishment.”

Speaking to the committee, Mr Plant described parts of the report as “unfair” and said they “put a skewed complexion on things.”

Councillors, who heard there were 14 relevant objections, quizzed Mr Plant on a number of issues.

And while he pointed out the close proximity of the club to the Baby Platinum strip club, it was explained that the perception ultimately lay with the committee.

George Hollingsworth, who was objecting to the application, also asked about the number of women working at the club and where they would be recruited from before the application was rejected.