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Residents protest at pub's strippers plan
Evening Standard14 Mar 2008
Campaigners are fighting to stop their local pub being turned into a strip joint.
More than 90 people have protested at an application by Satchmo's in Stoke Newington Road to become a "sex encounters establishment".
They fear the move would offend residents and lead to more crime.
Group spokesman Stewart Aitken, 32, a journalist who has lived in the area for seven years, said: "Research carried out in Camden showed a rise in sexual assaults and rape over three years following the opening of strip clubs there."
But pub manager Scott Davis said: "We're trying to reinvent ourselves as a modern, stylish cocktail bar that offers adult entertainment and live music.
"We believe it will be a positive thing for the area." Hackney licensing committee will make a decision next month.
Reader views (6)
Definitely NOT doormat Lucy thank you. I would never let anyone force me to do something I didn't want to do. God knows the kind of stripe pubs you went to. And they have changed so much since you were a boy. I have been with a large group of female friends too, as well as my boyfriend. It's a bit of fun! In some of these places the girls make an absolute fortune! And are they on their own free will! You are quite clearly out of touch with what has been going on in that scene for a number of years, there is much more to Amsterdam, than the golden mile! I agree with you, that is grotty, but I can assure you there are some amazing boutique,pole dancing clubs in Amsterdam! Where no stag parties are allowed!
- Lucy Sinclair, Stoke Newington, 20/03/2008 09:31
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Dr Finlays - I'm guessing then that you haven't even been to a strip club in at least 20 years. How then are you qualified to judge what goes on these days? It's small minded and un-educated people like yourself that stop society moving forward. Venues liked the proposed are so tightly run these days, there is less chance than ever of them being a menace to society. Get your facts straight mate and move into this century !
- Graham White, London, 19/03/2008 11:20
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Liberated Lucy or doormat Lucy. Why would your partner want to go to a strip club. I remember years ago in my early 20's going to a couple of strippers pub with friends and I thought they were seedy, grotty dives with strange men and equally unwashed women stripping. I doubt much has changed or would be different even though these places try to look trendy. I think even in Amsterdam these places are grotty and really only fit for the English stag parties that probably keep them going. I notice that they have more of this 1984, pc sort of talk by calling it a "sex encounters establishment", that to me makes it sound even worse, it makes it sound more like a "knocking shop"
- Dr Finlays Casebook, London, UK, 17/03/2008 11:01
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Poor old Stoke Newington, just as it has managed to re-invent itself as a pretty good area to live in with a good selection of interesting bars, pubs and restaurants, someone has to go and let the side down with something like this
- Biker, London, 17/03/2008 10:19
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I envisage no problem with this. Perhaps the small minded local anti-brigade should learn to accept that Stoke Newington and London, as a cosmopolitan city, will always be on the forefront of social development and cultural acceptability.
- Ed, Stoke Newington, 15/03/2008 22:05
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On different occasions I have been to strip clubs both with my boyfriend and had brilliant nights. As long as this is tastefully done and made un-threatening to woman that like going with their partners, I think it could work really well. I don't think we can really jump to conclusions on this without knowing all the facts. Especially when cities like Amsterdam cope very well with far more lenient laws!
- Lucy Sinclair, Stoke Newington, 14/03/2008 13:49
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