A WORCESTER politician has launched an attack on people critical of lap dancing clubs - calling them “hypocrites and bigots”.
Councillor Alan Amos, of the Labour Party, says he has been “astonished” by some of the criticism after a businessman wanted to open an adult venue in the city.
He told a meeting of the licensing committee people in Worcester are “scared” of talking about sex and says councillors are not there to make “moral judgements” because of a “hardened minority” of people who demand they should always be refused.
It comes after a bid by businessman Ashvin Patel to open Black Cherry lap dancing club at the old Funky Club in The Butts.
Critics want it refused as it sits opposite the children-friendly Hive.
Councillor Amos said: “I’ve read some extraordinarily ignorant comments about this, including ones from the police about what people can and cannot do in these venues.
“We’ve had letters in the press about it too. All we’re getting is ignorance, hypocrisy and bigotry – people saying ‘we don’t do sex in Worcester’.”
During the meeting he voted against a public consultation over adopting the Police and Crime Act, which will allow the authority to have control over where and when future venues open.
Three years ago, the council forgot to formally adopt it, meaning it can only treat a lap dancing application as an alcohol premises licence.
After the meeting, Coun Amos said: “I have never been in one before, but the point is, it’s not my job to impose my morality on anyone else.
“If adults want to pay for that kind of entertainment that’s up to them, it’s not for politicians to stop them, this is a democracy.
“If you go into the cinema there will be children’s films and grown-up films – are we really saying if children see these grown-up films being advertised, they’ll be corrupted?
“It’s absurd. I was watching TV news the other day and they were showing dead bodies which had been gassed in Syria, that was 6pm.
“Half of all people who use the internet surf pornography, and all of a sudden we are saying we’re concerned about the affect lap dancing clubs have on children?
“If parents are really concerned, they need to exercise parental control. It’s a stupid, bigoted, hypocritical obsession by a hardened minority.”
The licensing committee has agreed a six-week consultation about accepting the legislation, after officer Niall McMenamin said the council wants “control” over them.
“You wouldn’t want rows of them in one street, or one next to a primary school,” he said.
Comments
This again?
This again?
I think that most relevant comments have already been said in these columns. And I agree with those who say that this building is not going to have windows with the girls sat in as Amsterdam, so how can it possibly have any detrimental effect on children who use the Hive or walk past with their parents I can't imagine. It's like saying that Retailers shouldn't have TV sets on display since of course they can and do broadcast much more than this club acording to its license intends. The fact that Coun Amos might not be interested or that Coun Lynn Deham is listening to her voters over this club needs acknowledging in the manner deserved.
I think that most relevant comments have already been said in these columns. And I agree with those who say that this building is not going to have windows with the girls sat in as Amsterdam, so how can it possibly have any detrimental effect on children who use the Hive or walk past with their parents I can't imagine. It's like saying that Retailers shouldn't have TV sets on display since of course they can and do broadcast much more than this club acording to its license intends. The fact that Coun Amos might not be interested or that Coun Lynn Deham is listening to her voters over this club needs acknowledging in the manner deserved.
It was probably easier to open a "gentleman's" club in 1913, or even 1813 than 2013 - paranoia rules the minds of our rulers...
It was probably easier to open a "gentleman's" club in 1913, or even 1813 than 2013 - paranoia rules the minds of our rulers...
It is time that Councillor Lynn Denham learned that legislative decisions should be based upon the democratic process and that she is not elected to impose her prissy prejudices upon the taxpayers of Worcester.
It is time that Councillor Lynn Denham learned that legislative decisions should be based upon the democratic process and that she is not elected to impose her prissy prejudices upon the taxpayers of Worcester.
and what is wrong with a lap dancing club? these councillors need to get in the 21st century instead of being stuck in there own little world, for 1 thing, this is a late night venue, prob opens long after the hive is shut and kids home in bed, ( I am not a user of these places, as the say, been there done that in my younger days), but there are plenty of ppl whio do like this sort of entertainment, other cities and towns have it, and this venue did have a lap club before.
and what is wrong with a lap dancing club? these councillors need to get in the 21st century instead of being stuck in there own little world, for 1 thing, this is a late night venue, prob opens long after the hive is shut and kids home in bed, ( I am not a user of these places, as the say, been there done that in my younger days), but there are plenty of ppl whio do like this sort of entertainment, other cities and towns have it, and this venue did have a lap club before.
Get a life people their not going to let kids see inside people need to get off their moral high horse go look at amesterdam then you might have cause for concern people who visit these places are not seedy crims but working class people letting their hair down same comments as usual with all planning good idea but not on my back door
Get a life people their not going to let kids see inside people need to get off their moral high horse go look at amesterdam then you might have cause for concern people who visit these places are not seedy crims but working class people letting their hair down same comments as usual with all planning good idea but not on my back door
A refreshing point of view from Cllr Amos. There appears to be too many prudes in Wircester who wish to impose their own morality on others and, indeed, be offended on behalf of others about things they didn't know were offensive until their moral guardians went to press..
I'd hope that when considering any application, the Council would be objective about it and not try and bring personal moral or religious views into the equation. Surely the licensing objectives as laid down in law are those that count?
Just one more thing, why does the Worcester News insist ion publishing slightly lurid photographs of women to accompany every article about this proposed club? They are obviously just stock photos from the internet and have zero connection to this club, are they just to sensationalise the story and whip up moral indignation........ FAIL!
A refreshing point of view from Cllr Amos. There appears to be too many prudes in Wircester who wish to impose their own morality on others and, indeed, be offended on behalf of others about things they didn't know were offensive until their moral guardians went to press..
I'd hope that when considering any application, the Council would be objective about it and not try and bring personal moral or religious views into the equation. Surely the licensing objectives as laid down in law are those that count?
Just one more thing, why does the Worcester News insist ion publishing slightly lurid photographs of women to accompany every article about this proposed club? They are obviously just stock photos from the internet and have zero connection to this club, are they just to sensationalise the story and whip up moral indignation........ FAIL!
I bet it will all come to a happy ending in the end :)
I bet it will all come to a happy ending in the end :)
Bad for the people living at Magdala Court.
Mr Amos has easy and privileged access to information.
It is rude and unfair to consider "ignorance, hypocrisy and bigotry" voters' comments. In such an extent even comments from the Police...
He is not the only one "astonished", because the arrogance of this people always astounds me.
I barely use The Hive and never late hours, I do not leave nearby, but I see easily that it is not a social or cultural improvement for the area as initially thought (and promised) by the time of the Uni expansion and The Hive construction.
An excellent effort to raise Worcester from the ranks of forgotten places that distance from financial and decision centers imposes to rural cities.
By the way, I went to the club existing there.
I saw girls with vulgar faces and attitudes, bad mannered customers, not tidy and smelly facilities. There were much better places and much worse too. It was not a surprise when it closed down...
Seems to me that since 2003 they reopened, but did not work out again.
And thanks, Mr Amos, for saying publicly and clearly:
“I have never been in one before",
your conscience needed this statement to be made;
otherwise, how could we guess how able you are to decide about it?
Bad for the people living at Magdala Court.
Mr Amos has easy and privileged access to information.
It is rude and unfair to consider "ignorance, hypocrisy and bigotry" voters' comments. In such an extent even comments from the Police...
He is not the only one "astonished", because the arrogance of this people always astounds me.
I barely use The Hive and never late hours, I do not leave nearby, but I see easily that it is not a social or cultural improvement for the area as initially thought (and promised) by the time of the Uni expansion and The Hive construction.
An excellent effort to raise Worcester from the ranks of forgotten places that distance from financial and decision centers imposes to rural cities.
By the way, I went to the club existing there.
I saw girls with vulgar faces and attitudes, bad mannered customers, not tidy and smelly facilities. There were much better places and much worse too. It was not a surprise when it closed down...
Seems to me that since 2003 they reopened, but did not work out again.
And thanks, Mr Amos, for saying publicly and clearly:
“I have never been in one before",
your conscience needed this statement to be made;
otherwise, how could we guess how able you are to decide about it?
If anyone thinks this gruesome activity has anything to do with sex, they need to have MORE sex. This is about the money that can be made at the expense of everyone's dignity. But if you want to pay for it, someone will sell it to you. And so it goes...
If anyone thinks this gruesome activity has anything to do with sex, they need to have MORE sex. This is about the money that can be made at the expense of everyone's dignity. But if you want to pay for it, someone will sell it to you. And so it goes...
mauro balbino wrote…
Bad for the people living at Magdala Court.
Mr Amos has easy and privileged access to information.
It is rude and unfair to consider "ignorance, hypocrisy and bigotry" voters' comments. In such an extent even comments from the Police...
He is not the only one "astonished", because the arrogance of this people always astounds me.
I barely use The Hive and never late hours, I do not leave nearby, but I see easily that it is not a social or cultural improvement for the area as initially thought (and promised) by the time of the Uni expansion and The Hive construction.
An excellent effort to raise Worcester from the ranks of forgotten places that distance from financial and decision centers imposes to rural cities.
By the way, I went to the club existing there.
I saw girls with vulgar faces and attitudes, bad mannered customers, not tidy and smelly facilities. There were much better places and much worse too. It was not a surprise when it closed down...
Seems to me that since 2003 they reopened, but did not work out again.
And thanks, Mr Amos, for saying publicly and clearly:
“I have never been in one before",
your conscience needed this statement to be made;
otherwise, how could we guess how able you are to decide about it?
Has anyone living in the 80+ flats in Magdala Court actually put pen to paper and made a formal representation against this application?
15 objections in total out of a population of around 100,000 doesn't seem to me to be a very high percentage for all the front page 'Outrage' headlines they're getting, shall I just put it down to apathy? Or do people really not object to this perfectly legal business application that the Council charge a licence for?!!
mauro balbino wrote…
Bad for the people living at Magdala Court.
Mr Amos has easy and privileged access to information.
It is rude and unfair to consider "ignorance, hypocrisy and bigotry" voters' comments. In such an extent even comments from the Police...
He is not the only one "astonished", because the arrogance of this people always astounds me.
I barely use The Hive and never late hours, I do not leave nearby, but I see easily that it is not a social or cultural improvement for the area as initially thought (and promised) by the time of the Uni expansion and The Hive construction.
An excellent effort to raise Worcester from the ranks of forgotten places that distance from financial and decision centers imposes to rural cities.
By the way, I went to the club existing there.
I saw girls with vulgar faces and attitudes, bad mannered customers, not tidy and smelly facilities. There were much better places and much worse too. It was not a surprise when it closed down...
Seems to me that since 2003 they reopened, but did not work out again.
And thanks, Mr Amos, for saying publicly and clearly:
“I have never been in one before",
your conscience needed this statement to be made;
otherwise, how could we guess how able you are to decide about it?
Has anyone living in the 80+ flats in Magdala Court actually put pen to paper and made a formal representation against this application?
15 objections in total out of a population of around 100,000 doesn't seem to me to be a very high percentage for all the front page 'Outrage' headlines they're getting, shall I just put it down to apathy? Or do people really not object to this perfectly legal business application that the Council charge a licence for?!!
Jabbadad wrote…
I think that most relevant comments have already been said in these columns. And I agree with those who say that this building is not going to have windows with the girls sat in as Amsterdam, so how can it possibly have any detrimental effect on children who use the Hive or walk past with their parents I can't imagine. It's like saying that Retailers shouldn't have TV sets on display since of course they can and do broadcast much more than this club acording to its license intends. The fact that Coun Amos might not be interested or that Coun Lynn Deham is listening to her voters over this club needs acknowledging in the manner deserved.
Its not going to be a brothel ffs. You need to go and see a decent lap dancing club imho.....
Jabbadad wrote…
I think that most relevant comments have already been said in these columns. And I agree with those who say that this building is not going to have windows with the girls sat in as Amsterdam, so how can it possibly have any detrimental effect on children who use the Hive or walk past with their parents I can't imagine. It's like saying that Retailers shouldn't have TV sets on display since of course they can and do broadcast much more than this club acording to its license intends. The fact that Coun Amos might not be interested or that Coun Lynn Deham is listening to her voters over this club needs acknowledging in the manner deserved.
Its not going to be a brothel ffs. You need to go and see a decent lap dancing club imho.....