Club 55- York councillors to rule on strip club’s licence

The application from Club 55, above Ziggy’s nightclub in Micklegate, to renew its sex establishment licence is set to go before a York Council hearing on Monday, March 2.

One objection has been lodged claiming it is fuelling antisocial behaviour in an area popular with tourists and families.

Council officials said there are no legal reasons compelling refusal of the application and the number of such venues will remain at the locally-set limit of one if approved.

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It follows a delay to a decision on the application after the council mistakenly sent it the Licensing and Regulatory Committee instead of a licensing sub-committee hearing.

Club 55, which offers lap dances and pole shows, has applied to operate for another year and continue opening from 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

It would also be able to open from 6pm to 4.30am on race days if the application is approved.

The venue’s application was approved last year without objections.

Club 55 (right, first floor), in Micklegate, York. Picture is from Google Street View

North Yorkshire Police withdrew their objection ahead of last year’s hearing following an inspection the previous December after the venue was warned over not following licensing rules.

The police have not objected to Club 55’s bid to renew its licence this year, according to a council report.

The only objection to the application, from a Micklegate resident, stated it would be a shame if people started avoiding the area because of the club.

They said: “There is also concern about antisocial behaviour outside the venue.

“We have witnessed an extremely violent attack between two groups of men waiting to go in, which led to at least 10 officers an ambulance attending and an arrest.

“An establishment which attracts large groups of men following heavy drinking sessions potentially lays itself open to this kind of behaviour, especially on race days when drinking starts much earlier in the day.

“Having a sex establishment inside a Grade II*-listed building in one of York’s most important historical streets has a detrimental impact on the street and city’s reputation as a leading tourist destination.”

The council’s report stated the venue’s owners could appeal a decision to refuse their application at a Magistrate’s Court.