Licence for Hastings lap-dancing club renewed for another year

Following a virtual hearing on Thursday (May 28), Hastings Borough councillors agreed to renew the sexual entertainment venue licence of Club XS in Prospect Place.

The premises has to renew its licence with Hastings Borough Council each year in order to continue operating.

But this year, because the council received public objections its renewal had to be discussed by its environment and safety committee.

Only three objections had been sent in, two of which appeared to be from the same household as they were identically worded.

One objector suggested the vast majority of the premises in the immediate area made the character of the area unsuitable for a sex establishment, while several buildings in the area are being redeveloped.

But council officers said they have had zero complaints against the club or its operation over the years. They had also contacted the owners of Rock House, who are developing the old Observer Building and they had no concerns.

Speaking to councillors on Thursday night, Club XS’ managing director Peter Eldridge said: “Most people seem to support having the club in the town and we run it well.”

He added: “It’s not to be something sleazy or running something underground it’s supposed to be fun, good clean fun.”

Mr Eldridge, who has run the club since 2009, said that this was the first time anyone had objected to the renewal of the licence.

Although a lap-dancing club, he said, some people do just come in for a drink, and although they could operate all week, Club XS only opens on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays as well as Sundays on bank holiday weekends.

Although the maximum capacity is 120, they rarely have more than 50-60 people in there at a time. He also said Club XS had a ‘high proportion of female visitors because they feel safer in my venue compared to others’ as they have a high number of security staff.

Mr Eldridge also said they worked very hard with their neighbours and ‘take pride ourselves in running a clean club that is just good fun’.

He added: “I think it’s bringing a lot of good and a lot of fun to the town and we do not tolerate trouble.”

Following the hearing, the committee adjourned to deliberate, with the decision to renew the licence confirmed today (Monday June 1).

A Hastings Borough Council spokesman said: “The council held its first virtual Environment and Safety Committee on Thursday May 28 to hear a challenged application to renew a sexual entertainment licence for Club XS, Prospect Place, Hastings.

“The committee considered the three written objections received against the application and heard evidence from the operator of the club.

“The committee considered all the evidence and its own policy before deciding to allow the renewal of the licence.

“The club had been operating for over 11 years without complaint, the area was slowly developing with plans for the Old Observer building.

“The developers of that building had indicated that they were not objecting to the renewal of the licence and raised no concerns. Planning officers and the police had also been consulted and had raised no issues with the renewal.”

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