Richard III could scupper plans for strip club in city

A bid to open a new strip club in Leicester city centre should be rejected because it would be too close to the final resting place of Richard III, it has been claimed.

The last Plantagenet king of England is interred at Leicester Cathedral and concerns have been raised about the proposed venue’s proximity.

Jagdeep Narll has applied for permission to open the venue in Millstone Lane opposite McDonalds and next to Bistro Pierre.

But the venture has not proved popular with residents and some businesses in the area.

Castle ward councillor Patrick Kitterick is among the objectors.

He told licensing officials who have been considering the bid: “While there are many historic assets in the area I believe the location of Leicester Cathedral and the resting place of Richard III makes this a particularly unsuitable location for such an establishment.”

Council officials have recommended the club be refused a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence by councillors when they meet to discuss the application.

Various other concerns have been raised about the plan.

A nearby children’s nursery has written to the council to object on the grounds the two businesses would be ‘mere metres apart’.

The nursery has argued the club would lower the reputation of the area and have a negative impact on other companies nearby.

Another resident of a flat nearby told officials she ‘would not dare let children out on roof garden at all in case they witness a sexual act through a window or hear noises that then have to be explained away’.

There are concerns that the club would be in what has been described as the Cathedral Quarter, close to the Town Hall, the Richard III visitor centre, the new Market Square, the Bishop Street Methodist Church and the central library.

The council has set a restriction on the number of so-called sexual entertainment venues in the city centre at five.

There are currently three strip clubs within the inner ring road and Braunstone Gate area.