A SOUTHAMPTON MP has called for council licensing chiefs to carry out a “thorough investigation” after an alleged £30,000 theft at a city centre strip club.
Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith has called for Southampton City Council’s review of For Your Eyes Only’s licence to be “very thorough”.
It comes after police launched an investigation following claims a customer spent £33,000 in the High Street strip club during an eight-hour stay, but had no recollection of spending the money.
The alleged incident sparked bosses at Hampshire Constabulary to write to the city council asking for the authority to review the venue’s premises licence.
City licensing chiefs have temporarily suspended the club’s licence until a full review set to take place next month.
Commenting on the review, Mr Smith said: “People are free to spend their time and money as they wish, within the law.
“However, there is something very troubling about the sums of money involved here.
“I hope the council’s review will be very thorough indeed and if there proves to be any evidence of criminality the appropriate action is taken.”
As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, police have launched an investigation following a report of theft at the strip club on December 14, where it is alleged that £33,000 was stolen.
Police later wrote to city council licensing bosses asking that the venue’s premises licence be reviewed in light of the allegations.
In the letter, seen by the Daily Echo, the force said it was investigating after a customer of the strip bar spent £33,000 from three of his bank accounts, but later had no recollection of the transactions.
According to the letter, police believe the man appeared “very drunk”, was seen “vomiting at least twice” and later being seen to be “close to unconsciousness”.
Meanwhile, city licensing bosses are set to review the venue’s premises licence.
A decision will be made by the council at a committee meeting next month.
The club itself has been temporarily closed in the meantime.
However, a note inside the front door of the venue says the club is closed due to an electrical fault and that it is planned to open again “as soon as the problem is resolved”.
The Daily Echo contacted For Your Eyes Only for a comment, but did not receive a response as the paper went to press.
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