Last night representatives from Tooley Street met to voice their concern over the decision of Southwark Council to allow a lap dancing club to operate close to many family-friendly attractions around the London Bridge area.

At a meeting hosted by the Mayor of London at City Hall, local residents and people working in the area as well as heads of the major tourist attractions based in the area all raised their objections for having lap dancing club in the area.

Speaking at the meeting a representative from the London Bridge Hospital said: "‘Our hospital has 450 staff of which 85 per cent are women.  The concern our staff and especially our patients have is that when previously a similar club opened close to the hospital, we experienced literature of nudity on our forecourt when we came in in the morning. On camera, people urinating on our premises in the evening. On camera, people having sex on our forecourt in the evening. This is the type of environment we do not want to come into in the morning or any other time of day.’

The Mayor has been vocal in his opposition to a club to open on Tooley street and is supporting an appeal by the Dean of Southwark against Southwark Council’s decision.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: "This neighbourhood has been successfully rejuvenated over recent years with many companies opening large offices in the area and many new tourist attractions. 

‘A lap dancing club near new office developments and some of London's most popular tourist attractions for children and families such as the HMS Belfast, the London Dungeon, Tower Bridge and the new Unicorn Theatre, is entirely unacceptable. Southwark Council have misjudged the needs of this area. The tourism trade does not want it. Residents do not want it. Men and particularly the women who work in the area do not want it. That is why I have supported an appeal against Southwark Council’s decision.’

James Bidwell, Chief Executive, Visit London said: 'The area around Tooley Street and London Bridge is one of the up and coming destinations for visitors and families in particular. From Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral, to the contrasting architecture of City Hall and Tower Bridge, the area typifies London’s continuous development and regeneration. It’s an area that Visit London promotes strongly, as well as the location we chose for our new offices. A lap dancing club will do little to add value to the area’s growing character and appeal. We believe there are plenty of better uses for the site.’

Colin Thomas, Manager, London Dungeon said: 'We feel that opening an adult entertainment venue in such close proximity to one of London’s biggest family attractions would be irresponsible and incongruous to the London Bridge area as a whole.’

Chris McCracken, Chair, Shad Thames Residents Association said: 'The Shad Thames Association aims to encourage a safe and welcoming environment that local people can be proud of. This proposed lap dancing club is wholly inconsistent with our aims, and will encourage crime and anti-social behaviour in an area that has become increasingly popular with families and children. We are deeply disappointed that Southwark Council have failed to properly consult residents, and have failed to listen to our concerns. We hope they will now recognise the depth of local feeling and take urgent steps to address this issue.’

At the end of the meeting all people present voted unanimously against the club opening on Tooley Street.

Ends

Press release issued: April 25 2006