Lap-dancing fans in Kilkenny may be disappointed to hear that the club on Parliament Street has been forced to cease their lap-dancing and pole dancing activities.
Following an An Bord Pleanala hearing, the club was told that ‘the use of the building as a lapdancing club is materially different from the activities normally associated with a public house and does not come under the remit of a normal pub license’ and its operation on the premises constitutes ‘a change of use’.
The ruling was announced on Tuesday last compelling the owners of what was once called ‘Whispers’ but has since changed its name to ‘Secrets Gentleman’s Club’, to suspend its lapdancing activities.
It must also apply for appropriate planning permission although it can still operate as a public house. The club is located at the old Widow Mc Graths pub.
This ruling will see that the owners will now have to apply for planning through Kilkenny Borough Council and deal with public objections to the planning if necessary.
The club received a full bar licence from the courts last September to the dismay of local authority members and members of the public. Since its opening over a year ago the club has seen protesters outside the door at night-time over the weekend.
The council took the case to An Bord Pleanala in a bid to see if the use of the permises constituted a material change of use and they are very happy with the current outcome.
Cllr Sean O’ hArgain said that he was very pleased wih the ruling although he realised that the club could now go through the normal avenues to access planning permission for the club.
“I am very happy with the fact that the board has taken this position but I recognise the owner’s right to go through planning permission to operate in Kilkenny. But we will also have the right to object if they do take this route and I can tell you now that I will be strongly objecting to the club in the city.”
Cllr O’ hArgain who has himself protested outside the club, is concerned that the club will spark off an unsavoury sex industry in Kilkenny.
“I’m not concerned about the morality of the club - it is the fact that this is an industry that is grossly exploitative of women and it is not appropriate for the city centre. The vast majority of people are opposed to this club and in the interim I hope that we can close the club.”
This ruling from An Bord Pleanala will have national implications for any club operating under public house licenses.
“I hope that any of these clubs nationally will now have to apply for planning permission like the operation in Kilkenny,” said Cllr O’ hArgain.
John McCormack, Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council said the council would be acting in accordance with the An Bord Pleanala ruling.
“We would expect that everyone would comply with the planning code and we will be investigating and taking whatever action is necessary to compy with the ruling. The club may require an inspection and this would be carried out in the near future,” he said
