Lap dancing opposition is massive

Kevin Keane
Fife reporter
BBC Scotland news website

The club opened two weeks ago near Dunfermline's bus station

The owner of a lap-dancing chain has said he has never experienced opposition as strong as he has in Fife.

Church leaders, an MP and local people have all said they do not want the "gentlemen's club" which opened two weeks ago in Dunfermline town centre.

A petition has been circulating and has so far been signed by about 300 people.

The man running Private Eyes insisted the club was legitimate and legal and that he would not be hounded out of town by the minority.

Level of opposition

It is the third club to be opened in Scotland by Tony Cochrane. His first two were in Aberdeen and Dundee.

Mr Cochrane told BBC Scotland news website: "I've never seen this level of opposition.

"I think everybody is getting worked up about something they know little about.

"It's not affecting trade. People are coming to see what it's all about. We've been at capacity every weekend."

Church leaders have condemned the venue which is in alongside a bus station and close to a new town centre development.

A Christian organisation has started a petition calling for the club to be closed down.

I'm not happy at all about it, not in Dunfermline. I think it gives completely the wrong impression about the town." Margaret Potter

Father David Barr from St Margaret's RC Church said: "People were expressing their concern that such a place could open up in the middle of town.

"My objection would be on a social level as well as on a spiritual one."

The businessman who owns the bar said trade has been brisk and that there had been no objections from customers.

But the Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie insisted the club was "sleazy".

He said: "Dunfermline is going through a magical transformation at the moment and to have this lap dancing club doesn't fit into the image we are trying to portray.

"It's down to market forces now. I hope the people don't use it."

Shopper Margaret Potter from Kincardine said: "I'm not happy at all about it, not in Dunfermline. I think it gives completely the wrong impression about the town."

However resident Shaun Graham said: "It doesn't really bother me. I don't think it's doing any harm.

"But to be honest I cannot see it lasting very long. It'll be a novelty at first, everyone wanting to go. But I think it will die down after Christmas.

Mr Cochrane insisted the club has followed all the correct procedures in setting up and that it was "here to stay".

He added: "It's not like the dark ages where they can throw you out of town. We have not done anything illegal."