Boss of topless club says it'll be 'upmarket'

East Cliff and Springbourne ward councillor David Clutterbuck says that the new club in St Swithun's Road will further denigrate an area that for some years has been a magnet for kerbside prostitutes.

But general manager of the Fantasy Palace, Linda Jordan, says that her new club will be upmarket and will improve the locale.

"This isn't a strip club but an entertainment venue," she said. "It will be for members only and we'll be very strict about who we let in.

"Members will get a meal and then watch local and national comedians on stage. The topless girls will be in another part of the club in one-to-one booths.

"We hope to attract a slightly older clientele, including women."

She said that more than a quarter of a million pounds had been spent to transform the venue, and hoped to be open by Christmas.

But Cllr Clutterbuck said: "Clubs like this are always seedy and I've never heard of an upmarket one.

"I'm surprised no-one objected and it will be another nail in the coffin for Springbourne."

Formerly trading as Club Xclusive, the club's new owners didn't require a 'change of use' - needing only planning permission for alterations to the building's front.

The club already had a public entertainments licence, which was renewed by the Town Hall which then approved a 'section six' allowing striptease.

A council spokesperson said: "Notices were put up outside and a public notice in the paper as standard procedure, and only one objection was received from For Your Eyes Only. No objections came from the police or residents.

"All applications for striptease and nudity are dealt with on their individual merits, but given the lack of objections on this particular application, there would have been little grounds for refusal.

"Bournemouth council does not actively encourage or welcome nudity within clubs in the borough."

First published: November 19