By John Elworthy PUBLICANS Patrick and Janet Stickwood are to appeal after councillors rejected their bid for a lap dancing club in Wisbech claiming they were too inexperienced to run it properly. Nearly 30 residents, all opposed to the plans for the Clar

By John Elworthy

PUBLICANS Patrick and Janet Stickwood are to appeal after councillors rejected their bid for a lap dancing club in Wisbech claiming they were too inexperienced to run it properly.

Nearly 30 residents, all opposed to the plans for the Clarkson Arms in Lynn Road, celebrated as the decision was announced after a three hour hearing at the Boathouse on Wednesday

Councillor Kit Owen, chairman of Fenland District Council Licensing Committee, issued a statement saying the "overriding consideration of the committee was for the protection of the general public".

Cllr Owen said it was the wrong location for a lap dancing club, problems relating to queuing, smoking and car parking would be significant, and the committee did not feel the premises were large enough or appropriate enough for such use.

Even if conditions could be imposed on the club "aroused men who are likely to be ungratified could cause various problems in the vicinity of the park."

He also said Mr Stickwood's experience "is not deemed sufficient to deal with issues emanating from table/lap/pole dancing".

Mrs Stickwood confirmed after the hearing they were lodging an appeal immediately and so felt unable to comment fully at this stage.

However she said allegations of inexperience were far off the mark since the couple had "run a large club in Devon, hotels and night clubs, licensed for 350 people, with doormen, live bands and live music. We are experienced."

Cllr Owen added that his committee also felt that controls outside the periphery of the premises would be restricted to the availability of police who are usually dealing with town centre issues.

The pub, he said, was simply not in the right place to enable the committee to allow the change of use.

Four objectors spoke at the meeting which had been called after opposition mounted, including a letter from Cambridgeshire Police also opposed to lap dancing at the pub.