HARTLEPOOL'S first lap dancing club – complete with booths for raunchy private dances – will open its doors this week.
Little Black Book has been given the go ahead to open on Friday night after bosses agreed to a list of conditions on the licence for the venue.

The racy establishment will be in the downstairs of what was the popular Kube bar, in Whitby Street.

Council chiefs handed the licence to Stockton-based applicants LBB Leisure after the withdrawal of all objections in relation to the plan, which was revealed in the Mail.

The company first applied for a licence last month before objections were lodged by Cleveland Police, Hartlepool Borough Council's environmental health and trading standards departments, and one resident concerned about the opening hours.



Under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003, negotiations have taken place between LBB Leisure and the objectors.

Following the talks bosses have now agreed to a number of conditions being attached to the licence and a reduction in proposed opening hours.
There will be a stage and dancing pole on the ground floor and five private booths.

Mike Walker, a director of LBB Leisure, said: "We are extremely pleased that we have been given the go-ahead because it will give us the opportunity to be open in time for the Christmas period.

"The ground floor is ready and we will be refurbishing the upstairs in the New Year where we are looking to have a similar number of booths."

Little Black Book will be open on Friday and Saturday nights between 10pm and 3am for the next couple of weeks and bosses will look to extend the opening hours in the New Year.

Mr Walker added: "We will be looking at possibly opening as a conventional bar during the day once we are up and running."

Ian Harrison, the council's principal licensing officer, said: "A wide range of legally binding conditions have been attached to the licence, including the installation of a comprehensive CCTV system and the introduction of strict rules regarding contact between customers and dancers, to ensure that the club operates safely and does not pose a risk to any vulnerable groups.

"Like all licensed premises, the club will be closely monitored to ensure that all licence conditions are adhered to."

CCTV cameras will be installed inside all of the private booths and the footage must be retained for 31 days.

Police have also requested that a minimum of two registered door supervisors be provided from 10pm until closing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Other conditions state that lap dancers must be over the age of 18, performances must not be visible from the outside and secure changing rooms must be provided.

Revellers must also remain seated and clothed at all times.

I'll not be paying a visit. Ever. Rather stop in and have a wank.

What you need is a pan of scouse.

Bob would rather go to the bookies and lose his money that way..

I can imagine Bob going into the lapdancing club and announcing: "I've got a red-hot tip!"