A HOTEL owner is appealing the decision to refuse the opening of a striptease and lap-dancing club.

An application by the White Hart Hotel, in New Cross Road, New Cross, to open a strip club on the premises was refused by Lewisham Council in August.

More than 100 letters of objection and three petitions signed by 232 residents against the plan were received by the council, including a letter of objection from the police.

But now White Hart owner Ken Linwood is appealing the council’s decision with a court appeal to be heard at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, on January 13 and 14.

Mr Linwood argues the strip club is the only way his business can survive.

He said: “It’s just a matter of life and death. Because of pressures like the smoking ban we are being squeezed out of business.

“I’m struggling every day and I’m not even breaking even at the end of the day. The only chance of survival is to do something specialised.”

Mr Linwood will have male strippers as well as female and believes the opening of a strip club will benefit the area by attracting wealthy business men.

However, residents fear the proposal would lead to an increase in crime in the area and Eveline Ip, of Billington Road, New Cross, strongly objects to the appeal.

The 26-year-old has lived in New Cross for two years and said: “I don’t think it’s something we need in the neighbourhood and it contradicts efforts to redevelop the area.

“Even though I don’t have children, our neighbours do and there’s a number of schools in the area and we don’t need something damaging their reputation.”

Ms Ip says the opening of a strip club will increase nuisance and initmidation from youngsters.

But Mr Linwood claims there are no grounds for residents’ fears as there will be tight security including bouncers and strict membership.

He has now started a petition in support of the strip club and collected 120 signatures so far.