Browns and the Griffin
The final break up of Browns and the Griffin {two of the longest established and best known venues in London} into 2 separate strip pubs apparently will take place early in the New Year with Denise Chandler retaining Browns and her brother Wayne now operating the Griffin. This has been on the cards for several months {it was first reported in this column in September 2010} but seemed to be held up while the Hackney and other license situations resolved themselves.
Welcome news that a brand new strip bar to be called The Horns has opened at the former Bar Aquarium in Old Street , it reopened {it had operated for a few weeks in 2009}as a strip venue on November 24th see www.thehorns-shoreditch.co.uk . The format is to be similar to Browns etc rather that a Secrets/Spearmint style club.
Nadine Quashie {left} has won an appeal against Stringfellows enabling her to claim for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal even though she was self employed. Her claim had previously been dismissed but will now be heard in March next year.
A club called “Ama-Gi” in High street, Kingston upon Thames has started having strip nights on Thursday and Saturday nights. Talking of Kingston an episode of “ Starlings” on Sky 1 involved filming at the “Peel” and featured former strip magazine coverdancers Joy and Solitaire amongst others.
Despite the stated aims of Harperson
Despite the stated aims of Harperson/Object cabal and the efforts of some London councils most clubs across the country are continuing to get licenses under the new laws. The “Koola Bar” in Newquay has been granted an SEV by the local council and started up lap dancing nights in November and the 2 clubs in York “Mansion” and “Bohemia” also look like getting SEV licenses. “Charlottes Bar” in Rochester Kent which has been having strip shows for 6 years was also granted an SEV in November though an idiotic clause requires all dancers to have CRB checks. A new club is “Baby Blue” which now has a license to open in the former Riley’s snooker club in central Manchester. On the other hand “Wiggle” the new club in Portsmouth has been refused planning permission although it has a license and has been open for several weeks. I’d expect it to eventually get planning approval after a wasteful appeal process.
Two new books on lap dancing were published during November , “Stripped” written by Jennifer Hayashi which is apparently full of the usual Object inspired lies and “Lapping it up” by Debby Croft {left} which tells the story of an ex dinner lady from St Helens who took up lap dancing at the late age of 35 and sounds like a much more truthful account.
Dr Sarah Vernon {an ex dancer} presented a lecture on “Stripping in Scotland” in Edinburgh on Nov 24th as part of a 2 week celebration of Scotland’s history. Dita von Tease opened a London version of “COINTREAU PRIVÉ” to run in London for a few weeks at the end of the month.
Honeypot
The “Honeypot” strip pub {left} in Maidenhead has gone into receivership, it’s been open for nearly 10 years and originally has sister pubs in Slough and Reading but they closed years ago. The “Wicked” club in Blackpool which has been up for sale for years has finally closed.
The former head of licensing at Camden Bob Dear is apparently going to take up an appointment with Spearmint Rhino. Talking of Spearmint it seems that despite the recession the company has returned to profit in the UK and is once again looking to open new clubs.
It seems that the online consultation on SEVs in Tower Hamlets will not now report until the new year, the holdup appears be caused by a lot of written submissions which the council seem to be relying on to create a majority in favour of closing the clubs.
Tyke
Author: Saxon
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