A long-running York sex club is applying for its licence to be renewed – but one neighbour has strongly opposed the idea
Bar 55 is a strip club found upstairs at Ziggy’s Bar and Nightclub on Micklegate.
It has to apply to renew its sex establishment licence every year.
This year a strong objection to the club has been registered by a resident on Micklegate. They said the venue attracted anti-social behaviour.
“We have witnessed an extremely violent attack between two groups of men waiting to go in and the need to call 999, which led to at least ten officers, an ambulance and an arrest,” the neighbour wrote.
“Which I assume was added to the high crime rate in this area, often caused by nighttime activities.
“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.”
Groups of men waiting to go in also made it “uncomfortable for young women walking home and for families returning to holiday accommodation”.
The complainant adds: “It is a shame if Micklegate becomes an area to avoid with the yearly renewal of this licence.
“Having a sex establishment inside a Grade Il* listed building on one of York’s most important historical streets has a detrimental impact on the the street and city’s reputation as a leading tourist destination.”
Next week’s City of York Council licensing & regulatory committee will decide whether to grant a renewal, renew the licence with additional conditions, or refuse the application.
Last year the committee allowed the club to open later. A report then said an inspection found the premises was complying with licensing rules after it was previously warned about not following them.
Its bid to renew its licence in 2024 sparked debate about whether it was appropriate for York.
Council economy spokesperson Cllr Pete Kilbane said he was uncomfortable about the existence of the venue which he felt was outdated.
Bar 55 is said to be York’s only strip club and it has to renew its sexual entertainment venue licence yearly.
A set of conditions govern how dancers perform, customers behave and how the venue is managed.
Entertainment at the venue can only be performed by a dancer on stage or in booths and VIP areas, with no audience participation allowed.
Physical contact from customers is restricted to giving dancers tips at the start or end of their performance.
Customers are not allowed to throw money at performers.
Dancers can only sit on customers’ knees and touch them along with lower legs, upper chest, arms, face and head.
