Strip club licence renewed despite objection

York's only strip club has had its licence renewed, despite a single objection about anti-social behaviour.

Club 55, also known as Bar 55, which offers pole shows and lap dances, will be able to stay open for another year after York City Council's decision on Monday.

Andrew Elliott, who owns the venue above Ziggy's nightclub in Micklegate, said he prided himself on the way the venue was run and how it made people feel safe.

The objection came from a local resident who claimed the venue was fuelling drunken anti-social behaviour after he claims there had been an incident in which two groups of men reportedly attacked each other.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the objector added that as the venue was in an area popular with families and tourists, it was harming York's reputation as a visitor destination.

No other objections were lodged in the run up to the licensing hearing and councillors heard there were no legal reasons compelling refusal.

Committee Chair Jason Rose said the area had not changed in the years since Club 55 opened in 2006 and the objections around violence had not been backed up by the police.

Owner Elliot said the venue went "above and beyond" to ensure safety.

"I impress upon those coming upstairs to be sensible, I lay down the law and say if you transgress you could be arrested and end up on the sex offenders' register," he said.

Elliot told councillors measures at the venue included door staff policing those who enter and telling patrons any misdemeanours captured on CCTV cameras would be reported.

"We have few issues if any, I'm not after trouble and most people know that I've been here for an awful long time and they respect that," he said.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.