By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham’s only lap dancing club will be allowed to have fully-nude dances for the first time, the city council has decided.
The age limit at Flirtz on Friar Lane will also be dropped from 21 to 18, and its opening hours have been extended from 4am until 6am.
However, Nottingham City Council rejected calls for rules on the number of door-staff to be relaxed.
The adult entertainment club, which has been running since 2007, say performers moving online since the pandemic meant it needed increased flexibility.
The regulatory committee hearing on Tuesday (September 24) saw the club’s representatives clash with Nottinghamshire Police.
A council policy has previously prevented anyone under 21 for entering the premises, either as a patron, bar staff or performer.
The police force had objected to 18 – 20-year-olds being admitted, arguing that age group were likely to be more “immature” and often away from home for the first time.
However, Flirtz described the policy as “discriminatory”, and said they often had to turn away groups because one member was under 21.
Barrister Leo Charalamides of King’s Chambers, representing the club, said: “Young people aged 18 can vote, have sex, buy cigarettes and access porn on their phone or at a newsagents.
“I don’t understand why the council are criminalising a lawful activity.”
Mr Charalamides said fully nude dances, which would only be allowed in certain upstairs areas, where necessary to attract dancers.
“Real-life venues are competing with the internet and [online subscription service] OnlyFans,” he said.
“Many performers found it easier and more profitable to do at home, and the club has difficulty recruiting,” he said.
“The difference between clothed and fully-nude dances for performers runs into the hundreds of pounds.”
Basford Councillor Nick Raine (Lab), who represents the area, responded: “I’ve had a couple of residents contact me concerned about nature of premises and the potential exploitation of younger people. There are ages where you want to protect people.”
The committee agreed to drop the age limit and allow full nudity in certain areas, with perfomers required to wear at least a G-string in all other parts of the club.
However, it rejected calls to let the club set its own level of doorstaff depending on need, rather than having three per shift.
It was also mentioned that the club had only been employing two bouncers since the pandemic due to a shortage.
Barrister Paul Stimson, representing Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We have real concerns about door supervision. The licence says three and that’s been ignored.
“You’re being asked to relax it further, and place that responsibility on the license holder.”
Co-owner and manager Amanda Cropper told that committee there had been no need for more than two.
The committee’s chair Councillor Audrey Dinnall (Lab) said: “We are concerned that variation of entry conditions and allowing full nudity will increase the number of persons. Therefore, we don’t vary the security conditions.”
The council’s age limit policy for sex entertainment establishments will be reviewed.