Bing Gentlemen’s club got its license taken
Bing Gentlemen’s club in West Bromwich had its sexual entertainment taken after a man was left with “life-changing” injuries after a brawl took place on March 5.
A 27-year-old man has been found with serious head injuries outside Bing club which is located on the corner of High Street and Victoria Street. At present, the man suffers from “life-changing” injuries and is partly paralyzed down his left side.
It is not clear yet how long his recovery will take or if he is going to ever fully recover from the incident.
As a result, the club will be forced to cease all lap-dancing activities unless the decision can be appealed by the management.
However, the club will be able to continue to operate as a bar serving alcohol.
The incident shed light on some wide-ranging concerns regarding the way in which Bing gentlemen’s club is being run. These issues were brought by West Midlands Police during Monday’s hearing.
Amongst the raised concerns were speculations for prostitution taking place inside the premises, the employment of dancers aged under 18 and speculations that some of the dancers could have been trafficked.
Police licensing officer Mick Boyd, said: “It is not thought staff at the club could determine if the Romanian women [working at the club] were under age to work as lap dancers.
“No steps were taken by staff to prevent child sexual exploitation.
“There was no evidence of rules for the dancers or customers. There was no price list displayed in any area of the club. The potential for prostitution is great.
“The club was run for complete disregard for licensing rules and any consideration of possible exploitation or trafficking of the dancers who worked there.”
There is an ongoing police investigation on the case.
Lap-dancing club ST1 closes down following reports for drug dealing, violence and prostitution
Controversial lap-dancing club ST1 has closed doors permanently following a police investigation for drug-dealing, violence and prostitution at the trouble-plagued venue.
Staffordshire Police asked for ST1 license to be revoked over concerns they were not upholding to their responsibilities, after working with the club’s owner and licensee for many years trying to reduce crime and disorder at the city-centre venue. The authorities also compiled a dossier of evidence against Trinity Street Bar.
The following issues were included:
- Alleged credit card fraud linked to customers having their drinks spiked. A number of customers reported finding up to £2,000 missing from their bank accounts after visiting ST1;
- Evidence of drug-dealing and high levels of cocaine detected in the staff room and toilets;
- Sixteen violent incidents at the gentlemen’s club in less than three years;
- Claims of dancers offering sex acts to customers paying a premium fee;
- CCTV footage showing dancers simulating or performing sex acts on customers.
As a result the venue’s premises license was revoked with immediate effect by the Members of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s licensing sub-committee at a secret meeting in March
Superintendent Carl Ratcliffe, head of prevention and early intervention, which includes licensing, said: “Our licensing officers try their hardest to work with businesses and encourage them to meet high standards of responsible retailing. Sadly ST1 has for many years ignored those standards forcing my team to investigate them further. Over time we have built a catalogue of evidence showing a wide variety of criminal activity involving the venue.
“Revoking the licence and shutting down the establishment will hopefully disrupt that criminal activity and make the city centre a safer environment as a result.
“I would just like to offer my congratulations to the licensing team for the comprehensive and pain-staking work they have undertook to put forward a compelling case for ST1’s closure.”
Read more on: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/lap-dancing-club-st1-closed-down-as-cops-probed-drug-dealing-fights-and-prostitution-at-venue/story-30392809-detail/story.html
