A WESTBURY night spot will be allowed to stage more strip shows after winning a sexual entertainment licence.

Barrie White, director of Comus Leisure, which owns Venom, said it needed to run more events because it had been hit hard by the pandemic and months of lockdown.

He told Wiltshire Council's licensing panel: “We just need to do these events more frequently because my venue was closed for 18 months and costs £20,000 per month to run and I got a whole £34,000 from the Government in grants.

“We’ve got to do more of everything to survive.

"We’ve been a member of this community since 1996, and we’ve had no objections from the public.”

Under the licence the club on Quartermaster Road, West Wilts Trading Estate will be allowed to host events with lap dancing, stage strip teases and strip shows with full nudity.

It was noted by the officers that Venom had been holding such events for over 20 years with no complaints received by the Wiltshire Council.

At the meeting, Mr White said: “We’ve never had cause to call the police, a complaint from a member of the public, a complaint from an entertainer or anyone.

READ MORE: Town council narrowly gives backing to redevelopment of former factory

Mr White noted that 15 years ago the company was given an award from Wiltshire Police for being a responsible business.

Cllr Peter Hutton asked how Mr White would ensure that no advertising was “inappropriately placed”.

READ MORE: Police appeal for witnesses after a scout hut was broken into twice and vandalised

The councillor also asked if performers were working until close (5am) would the club call them a taxi if they did not have their own transport.

Mr White explained that the lap dancing nights were not advertised in the surrounding areas and that it is promoted through word of mouth, clubs and social media.

The club owner added that all of the performers had their own transport but if they were ever stuck, then he would ensure they had a taxi called.

Cllr Stewart Palmen, who chaired the meeting, asked why the pole dancing box on the form was not ticked despite Mr White talking about the entertainment.

He said that because the performers would be fully-clothed that he did not need a licence for pole dancing.

READ MORE: Residents call for ‘no more chainsaw massacres’ as council cuts down healthy tree

In his closing remarks, club owner Mr White said: “For a business to do what we do to be here a long time means that we run responsibly.

“I’m a father and I live in the area. I don’t do anything to bring any sort of problem to the area.

“I’m pleased to say, judging on the public’s reaction that they like what we are doing and there’s no malice towards us ever.”

No objections from the public were sent in to Wiltshire Council during the consultation period for the bid. The meeting was then adjourned for 20 minutes so that councillors could come up with the decision to grant Mr White and Comus Leisure with the sexual entertainment licence.