Council looks to kill the fun of Ayr nightlife

Mar 27 2009 by Lisa Boyle

SEXY dancers, dancing poles and Anne Summers parties have been banned from Ayr’s pubs and clubs.

Landlords have been forced to pull the plug on saucy adult only events and facilities following a ruling by po-faced South Ayrshire Council.

The move has caused outrage among licensees, who insist they’re struggling to get customers through their doors in the deepening recession.

The council have refused to confirm if there have been any complaints about the strictly over 18s events.

However, a letter from a council licencing standards officer has been sent to every town centre bar and nightclub ordering them to “cease immediately” any promotions, activities or facilities that are deemed to be “adult entertainment”.

The move means that a dancing pole recently installed at the Club De Mar in Arthur Street will have to go.

And staff at Cactus Jaks cowboy theme bar in Miller Road will no longer be able to dance on the bar in their jeans and checked shirts at night – when it’s adults only.

Speed dating phenomenon S**g Tag has also been banned from Fury Murrys in Nile Court. The event regularly takes place in towns and cities across Scotland.

And at Flloyd’s bar in Maybole Road staff have been forced to cancel a ticket only Anne Summers party, which looked set to be a massive success.

In every occasion stewards are on duty checking the age of customers they suspect of being underage.

One disgruntled licensee said: “This is the worst time in living history to be involved in the licensing trade, that’s unquestionable. And in South Ayrshire we have it particularly hard.

“Nightclubs by their very nature provide adult entertainment – children aren’t even allowed on the premises.

“We have a really good group of responsible licensees in South Ayrshire at the moment and it’s time the licensing board put some faith in us, we know the boundaries.

“We are being handcuffed and stopped from bringing people into the town.”

He went on to explain how Ayr’s night life has been in rapid decline in recent years.

He added: “Five or six years ago there were half a dozen nightclubs in the town, three of them now lie empty and thousands fewer people come here to spend their money every week.

“This letter is a slap in the face for licensees who are trying to come up with innovative, quirky and fresh ways to get people into their pubs and clubs.”

The move is a step backwards for Ayr which once allowed full frontal nudity when Oh Calcutta! played at the Gaiety in the 1970s.

Throughout the 1990s male strippers regularly appeared at pubs and clubs as well.

But last year businessman Forbes Robertson was knocked back when he asked to have pole dancing added to his licence for Millionayr Casino.

Another publican agrees that the council are the cause of Ayr’s dwindling nightlife.

He said: “Ten years ago Ayr was cracking for a night out, but it’s slowly deteriorated over the years.

“I think South Ayrshire council do everything in their power to cripple pubs and clubs in this town.

“They go out of their way to hurt publicans.

“As long as what’s happening is not too lewd then it shouldn’t be a problem. And if Forbes Robertson wants to open a pole dancing club then he should be allowed.

“As long as he maintains a strict door policy and manages it in an above board and proper fashion then I don't see how it harms the community in any way shape or form.”

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: “We remain committed to our approach of consulting and involving licensees in developments and changes to policies, but licensees should be mindful that not conforming to local policies can result in enforcement action or being reported to the licensing board.”