Resident claims seaside strip club is breaching the Equality Act because it has no male dancers

By Dan Grennan[1]

Published: 15:49, 4 January 2024 | Updated: 17:05, 4 January 2024

A furious neighbour has objected to a strip club in a seaside town and claimed it is in breach of the Equality Act because it has no male dancers.

The unnamed objector also complained to the local authority that punters who visit a strip club were ‘not the type of people’ wanted in the seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset.

The Wiggle club, which has venues in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Weymouth, applied to keep its sexual entertainment licence with the local authority.

Neither Dorset Police nor Weymouth Town Council has raised any concerns about the club where nude dancing is allowed.

But the single objector has claimed that the establishment was not suitable for a family resort and complained the club was in breach of the Equality law as there were no male dancers.

The unnamed objector also complained that punters who visit a strip club were 'not the type of people' wanted in the seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset The unnamed objector also complained that punters who visit a strip club were 'not the type of people' wanted in the seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset

The unnamed objector also complained that punters who visit a strip club were ‘not the type of people’ wanted in the seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset

The Wiggle club, which has venues in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Weymouth, applied to keep its sexual entertainment licence with the local authority The Wiggle club, which has venues in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Weymouth, applied to keep its sexual entertainment licence with the local authority

The Wiggle club, which has venues in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Weymouth, applied to keep its sexual entertainment licence with the local authority

Neither Dorset Police or Weymouth Town Council has raised any concerns about the club where nude dancing is allowed Neither Dorset Police or Weymouth Town Council has raised any concerns about the club where nude dancing is allowed

Neither Dorset Police or Weymouth Town Council has raised any concerns about the club where nude dancing is allowed

The unnamed objector said: ‘I would ask the committee to consider whether licensing a club which appears to offer only female performers is in accordance with the Equality Act.

‘People who pay good money to spend time in a small booth with a naked woman dancing for them are arguably not the type of people that are wanted in a resort promoting a family orientated holiday industry based around the beach.

‘Also, whether licensing such a club fulfills your duty to promote good relations between the sexes given the potential damage to relationships which may be done by attending as a customer or performer.’

Wiggle has a capacity for 130 people, but the owners say they usually keep numbers to no more than 50.

A spokesperson for the club has previously said it was well regulated, had security staff in place and used extensive CCTV coverage to ensure customers complied with all the rules, including no touching and not approaching any of the performers.

The Dorset Council licensing panel will make a decision on January 9.

MailOnline has contacted Wiggle.

References

  1. ^ Dan Grennan (www.dailymail.co.uk)