A lap dancing bar in Trafford has had its licence renewed despite residents’ concerns over apparent fighting, shouting and people urinating outside.
Totties in Altrincham had to reapply for a new licence following the death of its previous owner.
The ‘well-established’ bar, on The Causeway, has never had any complaints made against it to the council in 15 years.
Now, following a decision from Trafford council, the opening hours; the hours it can serve alcohol; the hours it can play live music; and the hours dances can be performed have been changed to 8pm to 3am – previously they could open from midday to 3am.
Neighbours complained to the council about fighting, shouting, littering outside the venue and outside their homes – including glass bottles and drinking glasses – and public urination.
Abbie Burton, who lives in a block of nine flats opposite, told the council’s licensing committee: “The times I’ve experienced Totties being open, it was awful.
“It was just horrendous, I mean, far worse than just drunkenness. There was fighting, shouting. Somebody urinated up the side of my car.
“It was just constant, constant noise after about midnight.
“I gave up looking at what time it was after about 3am. I didn’t want to get involved, it’s very intimidating for residents to have to deal with that literally on their doorstep. It’s not particularly pleasant.
“That’s the kind of behaviour that concerns me greatly. I haven’t got a problem with Tottie’s as a lap dancing bar, you be what you want, but there’s a responsibility to the residents that now live in that area.”
Rob Ingram, who lives on The Causeway, told councillors: “Fridays and Saturdays are very, very loud and are a blight on my life to be frank. We live in the town centre and we’re aware of the nature of that.
“I’ve been woken up with people screaming outside our flats. I can’t even count the number.
“I’m objecting now because I wasn’t aware I could before. It’s not that I’ve been fine for four years, not at all. It has affected my life quite a lot over these last four years.”
Jonathan Dodd, son of the former owner and new owner of Totties, argued the new hours overlap with other popular venues in Altrincham. He said he would take residents’ concerns into account.
He said: “We have a policy and tell the door staff that under no circumstances are people allowed out of the bar with any drinks.
“We’ll put a much larger emphasis on that going forward, to ensure that any by-products of our club are minimised to ensure there’s a better quality of life and sleep at those hours for you guys.”
Trafford council’s licensing committee voted to grant Totties its renewed licence.
