Worthing's first lap dancing club on its way?

The Liquid Lounge, in Chatsworth Road, is applying to Worthing Borough Council for a licence variation at the Le Chic ground-floor bar.

Central Worthing Residents Association has yet to decide whether to oppose the application, which is due to be heard at the Town Hall on March 27. And Sussex Police has also to decide whether or not to object.

Last week, councillors turned down a third bid for a licensed sex shop in Rowlands Road.

Simon Jones, the council's licensing officer, said the application did not involve any changes to the present opening hours, and the existing licence already banned youngsters under 18.

Vaughan Lilley, chairman of the residents association, said: "Our particular concern has always been the behaviour of people once they leave the pubs and clubs on their way home.

"In the end, if people want to get blind drunk, that is their look-out. But there is no reason why society as a whole should have to bear the brunt of their excesses.

"I will be discussing this with the other association officers, and if the consensus is that we put in an objection, then we would."

Police licensing officer Mike Webb said he was not a "moral guardian" of the town, and if an application did not constitute harm to children, cause public disorder, etc., then he had no grounds on which to object.

Eastbourne, the nearest coastal town similar to Worthing, has just seen a pool hall owner losing his latest bid to turn his business into the town's first naked pole dancing venue.

In the past, the pole dancing club has been allowed to open from 11pm to 2am.

Brighton and Hove has four lap dancing clubs. The council's licensing policy states that when considering such applications, particular regard was paid to whether the premises were near residential accommodation, schools and English language schools, places of worship, community centres and youth clubs.

Representations for the Liquid Lounge application must reach the licensing unit at Worthing Town Hall no later than March 7.

VOTE: Do you think the Liquid Lounge should be given a licence allowing it to become a lap dancing club featuring erotic dancers and nudity?

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