Licence refused for lap dancing club

A lap dancing club in a West Yorkshire town has been refused a licence to operate because of concerns about it being close to a church and a women's refuge.

Calderdale Council turned down the latest annual application for a sex entertainment venue licence for La Salsa on Silver Street in Halifax.

Councillor Joe Thompson said the town centre had "changed significantly" and he believed the venue was inappropriate for the area.

Club owner Reza Shahsavar told the council he would appeal the decision.

The club's licence was previously refused in 2018 but Mr Shahsavar appealed and councillors granted it in early 2019.

In the past, White Ribbon, a national charity based in Calderdale that works to prevent violence against women and girls, also opposed the club's application.

However, Mr Shahsavar said the club had operated at the premises "without incident" for 21 years.

The council received three objections to the latest application, with one raising safety concerns about the club's clientele "hanging around in the area."

Thompson highlighted changes to the area near the club, including a new block of 122 flats and the conversion of the former Atik nightclub into a place of worship.

"I would also consider that the area is becoming increasingly residential," he said.

Mr Shahsavar said the club's clients did not "hang around the locality" and added that the club had security staff and CCTV cameras.

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