Birmingham strippers told to cover up!

Jun 30 2009 by Edward Chadwick, Birmingham Mail

DANCERS at a Birmingham strip club have been ordered to cover up when they go out for a cigarette – after residents nearby complained they had got an eyeful.

It is claimed that women dressed only in skimpy lingerie have been smoking on the club’s terrace, leaving little to the imagination and giving young children a shock.

Bosses at Legs 11, on Gas Street, have been told that strippers must dress so that no underwear – and not too much flesh – is visible if they want to secure a new licence.

The application hangs in the balance because of the separate issue of noise levels which owners of nearby plush city centre flats say is causing a nightmare.

But club bosses insist they are responsible neighbours and have assured child protection authorities that their employees will be under wraps from now on.

Councillors will meet tomorrow to decide whether to renew the licence of the club, which offers topless pole dancing and fully nude performances in private booths.

Night-time economy bosses say it is crucial that a compromise is struck between city living and Broad Street’s booming party reputation.

Broad Street manager Mike Olley said: “There are some general issues with noise and while I’m sympathetic with residents, I am also sympathetic with people who run businesses.

“They are required to absorb all the noise created internally and I gather that any issues surround taxis using their horns to alert people, which they shouldn’t do, and people making a noise as they leave.

“There’s a very fine balancing act to be struck between the night-time economy and the people who choose to live around Broad Street.

“With regards to any other matters, I’m sure they will do what is necessary to keep their neighbours happy.”