Angry reaction to plans for lap dancing venue
| Posted: July 02, 2009
Plans to add some extra spice to a former curry house in Frome have angered people in the town.
Over the past few months there has been speculation about the future use of what used to be the Indian restaurant Balti Delight, on the Bridge.
Back in May, the Somerset Standard revealed that owner Abdul Rahim, known locally as Mikey, was planning to turn it into a private members' club with lap dancing nights once or twice a month.
Now Mr Rahim has submitted the licence application asking for permission to serve alcohol until 1.30am seven nights a week, play both live and recorded music, host lap dancing and strip nights and show adult films.
This has prompted dozens of residents and organisations to write to Mendip District Council, which will decide whether or not to issue the licence, to voice their concerns.
One of the organisations that has commented on the application is the Blue House.
Chairman of its trustees Brenda Hinton said she was very concerned that the establishment may attract unsuitable people to the area.
She added: "I have submitted a comment to the board saying I was concerned about the fact that it is to stay open until 2am, and what the noise impact would have on the sheltered housing residents.
"I also feel it is not in keeping with the area."
Another resident who is not happy about the application is Dan Lupton, who lives in Willow Vale.
He said: "I think the location is inappropriate for a drinking club.
"There were bad traffic problems when it was a restaurant; it's a busy pavement on a busy road, lots of people will cause havoc.
"And the whole lap dancing element will affect the whole character of the town."
Frome's Mayor, Cllr Damon Hooton, who is also chairman of the Frome Town Council planning board, said the board felt compelled to make a comment to the licensing authority after residents contacted the council with concerns.
He said: "There is no demonstrable need for a private members' club of the type proposed in Frome.
"We consider that this type of establishment in the centre of Frome would detract from the town centre and would be likely to have an adverse impact of properties near to it.
"It is considered that the application should be refused and that the property should be marketed as a restaurant which, as we have stated in our response to planning application for change of use, there is a shortage of in the centre of Frome."
When contacted, Mr Rahim said that at the moment, the club would be a drinking establishment only, and added he didn't wish to make any further comment.
Mendip's licensing committee will discuss the application on Thursday, July 16, at 10am at Mendip District Council's offices in Shepton Mallet.
Comments
Each & everybody to their own, and hey ..everyone is entitled to their own opinion!And My opinion is, that this is not the correct location for a lap dancing club OR drinking establishment of any kind!This should be kept in the centre where the drunken crime can be kept an eye on with cctv.Also for public safety,noise levels for local residents.Local shops,offices and town houses will be at risk of damage by more drunks with another drinking establishment that end of town!Mr Rahim maybe better opening another restuarant...thats what frome needs..maybe a family restaurant of some kind? Not more pubs or clubs!Since the closure of Level one i feel things have improved a little with regards to crime and damage in the centre.Why start it all up again?Not forgetting that this is also the main enterance into the town centre via the bridge and the first thing visitors will see, (and yes we get lots of visitors to see those beautiful buildings on the bridge, the Museum,Cheap Street,Catherine Hill...and much more)so lets not lower the tone of the town. And if your thinking i should get out more then yes i would go out more if the town wasnt so rough at night!!!!
I am a female living in Frome (not Yorkshire), and I am quite sure my husband (in his 40's) will visit the place when on his monthly night out with the lads. I have no desire to visit myself, but have no problem with him going. I am also sure Ella from Yorkshire, that after visiting, he will NOT suddenly get the urge to turn into a sexual devient and rape or molest the women of Frome, nor will he come home and start treating me like a commodity! Get a grip and realise that these girls are not prostitues being pimped, and men enjoy a harmless lads night out watching - whats the problem?
''Why do some men think that having a night out has to involve paying women to strip naked and rub themselves all over men?'' we dont, its just a cheeky bonus to a night out :P. On a more serious note, its the public going to these places who fund this industry, so they should be shamed. The owners are simply responding to supply and demand. McGuinnesses used to have lapdance night, but that didnt stop women coming out in frome, i think you should worry about your tea and steamtrains in yorkshire and leave frome to itself.
i cant wait!
ella im sure it will not effect you as your in yorkshire! worry about your own area and leave us alone i think its a great idea this town needs a pick me up.
if you dont like dont go there no one is forceing you leave us who would like to go there alone and worry about yourselfs.
Why do some men think that having a night out has to involve paying women to strip naked and rub themselves all over men? The degradation of young women should not become a mainstream form of entertainment. Lap dancing clubs definitely alter the character of an area.This is not something that affects men so it is not a acase of saying ifyou don't like them don't go because even when women do not go we are negatively affected by them. We are the ones who are at increased risk of rape and sexual assault in areas that have these vile clubs,we are theones who find strip clubs create no go areas for women when out at night. These clubs normalise the payment of women by men for a sexual service,perpetuate the myth that all women are sexually available for any man and feed an increase in demand for prostitution. They treat women like commodities that can be bought and sold. Shame on this Labour government for relaxing the Licensing laws and allowing the proliferation of such degrading,seedy places which do nothing to improve womens value or worth in society.It seems that the club owners together with local councillors and politicians will not be happy until every city,town and village has been "pornified".
why is it that every time someone in frome wants to make a new twist to the town, its met by angry rejection!? If you dont like the concept of it, dont go! Frome is soon to be left in the stone ages of entertainment. Ever tried to have a night out in frome (and i dont mean popping down to the local pub!?). THERE ISNT ONE!!