A LAP dancing club could be permanently closed down next week.
A licensing review will be held on Thursday into the running of Red Velvet, in Consett, County Durham’s only lap dancing club.
The venue’s license was temporarily suspended by councillors last month following a police raid on December 14 and officers say they are now seeking the immediate suspension of the licence.
Members of Durham County Council’s statutory licensing sub-committee, which has the power to revoke both the venue’s alcohol and entertainment licenses, will meet at Chester-le-Street for a full hearing into the operation of Red Velvet, which opened in 2007.
In a written submission to the committee, police said that an intelligence-led policing operation had identified that "on several occasions during the last six months, controlled drugs have been sold be members of staff to patrons within the premises. The substances purchased by customers at the venue have been tested and have been found to be cocaine".
During last month’s raid, seven people were arrested by police. Two dancers have since been cautioned for possession of drugs and two other members of staff have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
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