Lapdancing bid for Bognor Regis town centre

The members of Arun District Council's licensing sub-committee will determine if the adult entertainment can be held in the town centre. Tony Race has applied for the 18-plus activity as part of the premises licence for his Shine club above the High Street.

He wants to permit topless dancing, excluding pole dancing, up to 25 days each year. Information from his solicitor, Julia Palmer, sent to the council with his licence application states: "There will be no deliberate touching of or between dancers during the performance. While dancers are performing, customers will remain seated.

"Prospective entrants will be advised of the style of entertainment being offered and no child will be allowed into the premises.

"There will be no offensive advertisement or photographs displayed at the premises."

The club '“ which will also have gays-only nights '“ will be for members only with the deadline for entry at 1.30am on Thursdays to Saturdays and 30 minutes past midnight on other days.

At least five doorstaff will be present on the adult dancing nights.

Sussex Police's licensing officer, PC Dave Whitcombe, has raised objections to the semi-nude dancing.

Among the conditions he wants councillors to impose on the premises are clear notices stating they are used for entertainment involving nudity, opaque clothing for dancers which conceals their private parts and a need for customers to show ID to get in.

Mr Race intends to open Shine in first-floor premises above the High Street.

Protests from 29 residents of nearby flats about the proposed club have been sent to the council.

Raymond Lester said he and his neighbours in Mountbatten Court, Belmont Street, feared the opening of the club would add to disturbances '“ such as noise and damage '“ they faced from those leaving the town's two seafront clubs.

His letter to the council states the granting of a licence to Shine will intensify the public disorder problems they face as well as tempting clubbers to leave vehicles in the flats' parking spaces.

"Not only do we envisage widespread vandalism of residents' cars but a level of intimidation will occur when residents arrive home late, cannot get into their own parking space and are confronted by revellers congregating in the area.

"Not only do we anticipate an increased level of crime but public safety for the residents will become an issue, not to mention the increased level of public disorder."