LAWYERS have launched an immediate appeal after a Felixstowe nightclub was told it could not have an entertainments licence until it improves safety.Councillors refused a licence for The Wave after hearing a catalogue of complaints against the seafront venue.

By Richard Cornwell

LAWYERS have launched an immediate appeal after a Felixstowe nightclub was told it could not have an entertainments licence until it improves safety.

Councillors refused a licence for The Wave after hearing a catalogue of complaints against the seafront venue.

Manchester Inns, which runs the club in Sea Road, said it would appeal against the decision taken by Suffolk Coastal's licensing and health committee.

The premises, which recently had a £250,000-plus refit, are currently closed and awaiting further improvements.

The committee was told that two undercover special constables attended a male striptease performance with a crowd of 180 women at the nightclub.

The British Chippendales, Ann Summers models and a comedy drag queen were on the bill. The District Council said the men's activities were not obscene but they were "borderline" and the police felt the show could have worsened.

Neil Saunders, representing Manchester Inns said: "It was considered and dismissed but it was still in the (council's) report and it gives a flavour that is possibly prejudicial".

Felixstowe police had several complaints about the Wave and sector commander Andy Bushell said a £10 "drink as much as you can" promotion led to drunkenness and violence.

The council said on one occasion a doorman put foam concentrate in the fountain on the forecourt of the premises and the foam covered the area and the entrance step.

Mr Saunders admitted that Manchester Inns had come into Felixstowe on a "steep learning curve" to run the nightclub, but they had rectified a lot of inherent problems.

Douglas Glendon, a company director, said he felt the company had been victimised and made to pay for mistakes that had occurred in the past.

The committee vice-chairman Doreen Savage said the licence would not be renewed until the fire safety regulations and building work had been carried out.

"We are still concerned at the structure of the management which is not entirely satisfactory. We have borne in mind human rights issues but our overriding responsibility is for public safety at all times", she said.