Club owner scraps lap dancing plans

A licensing application to spice up Frome's nightlife with erotic entertainment at a private members' club has been withdrawn at the eleventh hour.

The revelation came to light minutes before the licensing board meeting at Mendip District Council was about to begin.

The applicant, Abdul Rahim, who owns the club on the Bridge, decided to scrap the parts of the licence which related to lap dancing, stripping and other forms of adult entertainment after there was public outrage at the plans.

Mr Rahim was represented by solicitor John Killah, who told the licensing committee that his client had been mortified by the outcry over the application and had listened to the concerns of the people who had objected to the licence.

The application had included hosting lap dancing, striptease and erotic dancing nights and to show adult films and plays.

Mr Killah told the board, headed by Cllr Margaret Robinson (Con, Shepton East) that Mr Rahim, known locally as Mikey, was planning to run an upmarket club for older people, and it was under no circumstances a young persons' establishment.

Mr Killah asked for the hearing to be deferred so that Mr Rahim could reassess the application.

There had been more than 20 objections, with the majority of people citing problems of anti-social behaviour, the type of club that was being suggested and that children walk past the premises on their way to school as the major issues.

One resident with concerns about the proposed club was Dan Lupton, from Willow Vale. He told the Somerset Standard earlier this month that he was not happy about its location and that the lap dancing element would affect the character of the town.

Mr Lupton said after the meeting that he was delighted with Mr Rahim's decision.

He said: "We hope his new plans will fit in better with the character of the town centre.

"But we do still oppose the late-night opening due to potential anti-social behaviour."

The licensing board will hear the revised application on Tuesday, August 11, at 11am.