Vicar: Lap dance club will be 'degrading'
A CITY vicar has urged the council to show it has standards by refusing to give the go-ahead for a Swansea lap dancing club to open.
Plans to convert a derelict warehouse in The Strand into an adult club were submitted to the authority last month.
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The girls at Fantasy Lounge in Cardiff
If approved, it would feature a stage with lap dancing poles, three dancing podiums, a naked dance area and a number of bays for one-on-one dances.
The applicant is Fantasy Lounge, which runs a similar club in Cardiff's St Mary Street, employing 40 dancers.
We sent a male and a female reporter to Fantasy Lounge in Cardiff. Here are their reports
The vicar of St Mary's, in Swansea, Andrew Vessey, challenged the council to show it had standards and said the club would be an "inappropriate" use of space and of the female body.
"What people do with their own money and time is up to them," he said, "but when it's clearly open to the public in a city centre that has already got quite enough venues, there is a concern by those of us who have standards and ideals that this is inappropriate.
"It's an inappropriate use of space and inappropriate use of the female body."
He said the club would be degrading and was purely about making money.
"Many of them are not doing this for fun, but because they have to for money.
"I think there comes a point where the public needs to be protected from people.
"It's simply about making money.
"There must be a point where we say enough is enough.
"People who seem to be dependent on that kind of stimulus have got plenty of outlets already.
"We have a fine city and we have some great traditions here, by way of enterprise and creativity.
"Do we want Swansea to be synonymous as a place to watch lap dancing?
"There's already a plethora of nightclubs in Swansea.
"There must come a point where public concerns about standards have to be listened to."
22 Comments
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by samantha, swansea/south wales
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 3:31PM
“I seriously do not see the problem in all of this, it is 2009...let's face it what exactly is the problem of having a licensed, legal lap/pole club in Swansea. For the girls it is there choice if they decide to work there, it's secure (bodyguards etc) legal way of making good money and for some a chosen career as they enjoy that form of dance. For the guys it is nice to have the choice to go to the club at the end of the night, splash the cash on how many dances he wants, few drinks and go home again, it's not just single people attending nights at pole clubs anymore it's as much about couples now also. I do not see how Swansea can turn a blind eye and just face the fact that it is probably a better idea to have a licensed club that the public know about than some seedy operation run underground without licenses. I am all for Fantasy Lounge locating to Swansea and think business will do well.”
by Shilpa, Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 11:12AM
“Im confused?
Can someone please tell me what a "lap-dance" is as they dont have anything like that over here?”
by Chris, Llangyfelach
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 11:07AM
“It always makes me laugh when some do gooder claims that clubs like this exploit women.
On a recent stag weekend in Cardiff a friend of mine spent £80 on four 'dances' with the same women who showered him with attention when his wallet was full. As soon as he was skint she moved on.
Who exploited who there?”
by Paul, West Cross
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 8:15AM
“Should the clergy be asked to comment?
Some years ago the Archbishop of Canterbury (not the current one) visited New York City and was asked by a reporter if he planned to visit any brothels. The head of the Anglican Church replied in what he thought was a non-committal way.
The following day the newspaper covered the story with the banner headline: Archbishop's First Question ¿ ¿Are There Any Brothels In New York?¿.”
by Stevwn, Swansea
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 7:18AM
“Has anybody thought that perhaps the evening post contacted the vicar for his opinion as they knew it would be likely to stir up opinion and make a headline? He is hardly going to say...oohhh yes its a fantastic idea, i will be at the opening night.
The last "Gentlemans Club" lasted a couple of weeks on wind street as is still abandoned now. This wont last more than a couple of months. Only time will tell but i dont think the demand will be there.
I think people should give the vicar a break....just my thoughts.”
by kev, swansea
Monday, August 10 2009, 10:35PM
“"Do we want Swansea to be synonymous as a place to watch lap dancing?"
YES ! this vicar needs to move into the modern world and realise that swansea is competing with other cities across the country and beyond to attract visitors who spend money in the local economy.”
by anon, anon
Monday, August 10 2009, 10:18PM
“maybe this vicar should take a walk around swansea and then he can see that swansea is already degraded with beggars, druggies, drunks, empty shops and rundown areas.
does this vicar understand the basics of business which is simply making money and people need to earn money to survive where as vicars have free accomodation and a nice pension.
does the vicar find the church on st.helens road being turned into a mosque degrading ?
vicars should stick to running churches and lap dance club owners can stick to running lap dance clubs but seeing the numbers of churches that have shut maybe vicars could learn a few things.
welcome to the nimbys paradise of swansea !”
by Paul, Swansea
Monday, August 10 2009, 10:00PM
“Vicar, its called supply and demand, its business. Opinions are fine, provided they are not forced on people. I would suggest you put all your efforts into your supply and demand business.”
by richard, llanelli
Monday, August 10 2009, 8:40PM
“Still only men commenting.
You're right MJ--to a point and I'm sure the Vicar would be the last to deny that there has been exploitation by religions of all kinds since Eve exploited Adam. But this has not only been in the name of religion (which I suppose would also include witchdoctors) but politics, greed, power and by the strong over the weak and the rich over the poor.
Exploitation will continue, too, but thankfully,and religion has played its part in this, we are now able to recognise it and even object to it.
This is all the Vicar is doing. It may not be a type of exploitation that you disagree with but give him credit for speaking out whereas many still remain silent which only assists exploitation. Where would we be if the first trade unionists had remained silent?
Sorry if bad spellers were offended but I only used the comparison with their apparent expertise on other matters--no offence intended”
by geoff, Westcross
Monday, August 10 2009, 8:24PM
“Richard Llanelli-"Yes air your view"
why are you taking the pi** out of peoples Literacy and spelling?
you want to try one of these clubs loosen you up a bit. soft lad!!”