NEW CROSS: Residents make 'mafia' claim over strip club (From News Shopper)

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NEW CROSS: Residents make 'mafia' claim over strip club

11:26am Friday 16th January 2009 in News By Dan Keel

Ken Linwood outside his pub.

FURIOUS residents say they are terrified the opening of a lap dance club in New Cross could lead to “mafia” activity.

Pub owner Ken Linwood is now free to host striptease shows and private lapdances at the White Hart Hotel in New Cross Road after Lewisham Council's decision to refuse the licence was overruled.

Bromley magistrates decided the change to Mr Linwood's pub would not have a negative impact on the surrounding area - despite the council turning down the application in August last year.

The reversal has left nearby residents fuming, with some suggesting it could lead to the exploitation of women and even people trafficking.

Konstanty Sliwowski, who lives nearby in the Hatcham Park estate, said: "It is the most ridiculous decision in the world. I don't know what they were thinking.

"Places like that encourage all kinds of illegal activity and mafia-type characters.

"The council have worked so hard to turn New Cross into a nice area but places like this will lead to more problems in an area of London which already has enough crime."

The 27-year-old recruitment manager added: "It's going to give the police a lot more work to do. If he really wanted to make a living from his venue he should have opened up a nice restaurant with good food."

Meanwhile, John Lumley, 27, who lives in Briant Street just around the corner from the pub, said: "It will lead to more noise late at night, which will upset neighbours.

"Plus it's no secrets these types of venues can lead to the exploitation of women and even people trafficking. The prospects are terrifying."

However, speaking after the verdict Mr Linwood promised to run the club safely and responsibly.

He said: "There's not going to be any trouble at all. It is going to be a responsibly run gentleman's club but with male strippers there for the ladies as well.

"These people (complaining residents) have been bad-mouthing me for ages and they have cost me a hell of a lot of money by giving my pub a bad reputation.

"I don't even want to speak to them. They can shove their complaints."

Speaking in court the pub's head of security, George Malekos, also reassured residents.

He said: "In all my 22 years of experience I have found lapdancing clubs to have the least trouble.

"Anyway, people go to see Mrs Robinson in The Graduate at the theatre. That's got nudity in it. What's the difference?"

Concluding the appeal hearing on January 13, chairman of the bench Danielle Spens said there would be no negative impact on the area.

She said fewer clients would spend larger sums of money per head, and there would be a higher staff-to-client ratio, than other licensed premises.

But the Lewisham councillor for the pub's ward of Telegraph Hill says magistrates have made a big mistake.

Councillor Ian Page said: "It's clear the magistrates did not know or understand the local area. I'm really disappointed by the decision."

Comments(36)

Aunt Jessie says...
11:40am Fri 16 Jan 09

The residents are right to be outraged. Not only are strip clubs/pubs immoral, the innocent girls who are sucked into this dark world are corrupted for the rest of their lives.

Many of the dancers double as prostitutes to pay for the drug habits they will inevitably develop as they struggle to stay awake in order to pleasure filthy beasts of men who ogle their young bodies over pints of beer.

Customers who are refused entry will start fights and damage cars and property in frustration of being rejected.

My prayers will be with the poor girls who will eventually end up in this dark, evil and immoral trade at the White Hart.

Amen.