Lorna Gaston is hoping other residents will support her strong views on the club, which opened in The Martlets two weeks ago.

Leo Valls of Redd claims that so far the club has been well received by residents and businesses, but Miss Gaston believes not everyone is feeling happy about Burgess Hill's first lap dancing club.

She said: "I don't think Burgess Hill needs that sort of thing. I was shocked to hear about it and I was also surprised to hear the club had only received a positive response. I was also stunned to hear that the club also has booths where men can be tied down.

"When I took my six-year-old to school I said to a few of the mums what they thought and none of them thought it was a good idea."

Miss Gaston moved from Hove seven years ago to bring her children up in a quieter area. Brighton and Hove have a number of strip clubs and she believes this is where they should stay.

"People can go to Brighton for this entertainment," she said. "I just don't think a lap dancing club will bring the right sort of people to Burgess Hill."

Jackie Packham, who lives in Burgess Hill, believes that as long as they stay behind closed doors she cannot see it affecting anyone.
She said: "I work at Lidl which is directly opposite the club.
Sometimes I don't finish until after 11pm and I don't see any trouble coming from there."

Redd also has a page on the social networking website Facebook, promoting the club. The site currently has 104 members.

Mr Valls, who runs Redd with Kevin Felton, said that the club is continuing to prove popular. "We have had lots of people talking about the club and we have had a massive positive reaction. The club was very busy at the weekend again."

Mr Valls told the Mid Sussex Times that such a club was long overdue for Burgess Hill and he praised the "forward thinking" district council for giving people the choice of "how they are entertained".

Mary Anne Jones of Southway, Burgess Hill has laid blame with the council for allowing a club to be opened in the area.

She said: "It is definitely the responsibility of any decent council to revoke the licence of such an unreputable establishment."

But Yvonne Leddy, Mid Sussex District Council's environmental health manager, said: "To suggest that Mid Sussex District Council has made a decision to allow a lap dancing club in Burgess Hill is simply not true.
"As a regulatory service we provide advice and guidance to businesses to ensure they operate within the Licensing Act 2003. The license issued to the previous nightclub allows for this type of club to operate.

"A government review about licensing of establishments like this is currently being undertaken to establish if they require different licensing arrangements. Mid Sussex District Council, together with other licensing Authorities, have been asked for their views. Councillors will discuss the matter at the Better Lives committee on July 29."


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