Blackpool lap dancing club gets all clear to operate after objections thrown out

Mark Newton appeared before a meeting of the council’s public protection sub-committee after an objection was received to his application to renew the sexual entertainment venue licence at Sinless on Central Promenade.

The meeting, held using Zoom video, heard allegations had been made against Mr Newton that he had acted “inappropriately towards female performers”, encouraged drug taking and allowed under-age drinking and performing.

Blackpool Council licensing officer Ryan Ratcliffe told councillors the claims also included that Mr Newton had “been coercing staff to collect money via card payments without the customer knowledge.”

The authority found no evidence to back up the claims.

The objector’s identity was not revealed, but Mr Ratcliffe said it was known by the licensing department.

But he said no complaints had been made to the police, and investigations by the licensing team had found no evidence to corroborate the allegations.

Mr Newton said he had been shocked by the claims which he refuted, saying someone was trying to damage his reputation.

He said: “Unfortunately you can develop enemies in business. It could be a disgruntled ex-employee; it could be a competitor.”

Mr Newton branded the allegations as an attempt “to damage the reputation of the business or my reputation”.

In an email shown to the committee he added the club used qualified door staff and operated a ‘Challenge 25’ policy.

He said the venue was covered by multiple CCTV cameras and had not been in trouble with either the council’s licensing team or the police.

The sub-committee agreed to renew the licence, subject to an inspection taking place once Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, as no evidence had been found to substantiate the claims and the venue had operated since 2012 without complaint.