Deputy leader critical of strip licence renewal

Ziggy's Club 55, on Micklegate, is said to be the only venue of its nature in York

A strip club in York has had its licence renewed despite concerns over whether such establishments should exist.

Ziggy’s Club 55, on Micklegate, had its sex establishment licence extended at a licensing and regulatory committee meeting on Tuesday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

But councillor Peter Kilbane, York's deputy council leader, said he was “uncomfortable” with the concept of strip clubs, suggesting they were out-of-date.

The club said it was "incredibly inclusive" and its offer had evolved "with the times".

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Kilbane said: “I’m uncomfortable with these anachronistic establishments and I would like to see more debate on the topic.

“If we are legally obliged to allow sex entertainment venues, then surely they should be more equal places."

He continued: “In York, they seem to be entirely about women providing entertainment for men.

“Why not the other way round or just non-binary?"

Deputy council leader Peter Kilbane says it seemed an "anachronism" that lap dancing clubs still exist in their current form

During the meeting, Mr Kilbane had asked whether councillors “essentially have no choice but to approve this licence”.

He said: “This is not the 1970s, this is not The Benny Hill Show and it just seems an anachronism that these establishments still exist.”

The committee’s chair, councillor Rachel Melly, said that council policies could be reviewed in the future, but added: “Right now we have to assess the application against the policies that we have.”

In response, a spokesperson for the club said: "We are incredibly inclusive and regularly have a variety of customers - we have never turned anyone away because of their gender as all customers are valued customers to us.

"Club 55 is a late-night adult venue that is frequently frequented by couples and people who want to escape the hubbub of the other bars that are open late."

The club continued: "With an ever-evolving society we have simply developed with the times and will continue to do so."

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