Redcar lap-dancing billboard sparks debate

A lap-dancing bar billboard in Redcar has been labelled “inappropriate” and in “poor taste”.

The advertisement features the silhouette of a woman dancing on a pole, set against a pink backdrop and is located on the corner of Fisherman’s Square fish and chip shop, on Lord Street. It belongs to Redcar High Street lap dancing firm, Angels, which opened in 2002.

Melissa Wade, 20, who has lived in Redcar her entire life and is a regular customer at the chippy, described the sign as being unsuitable for young audiences and believes it is far too large for the area.

Wade, who is also head of news at hyperlocal news outlet, TS10 Redcar, said: “I understand that the company wants to promote their business, but they could have done that with a more appropriate image.” 

An Angels’ spokesperson was contacted in response to these concerns and refused to comment on the issue.

Another resident was worried about the effect the sign could have on tourism in the town.

Esme James, 20, a local from Redcar, believes it could push away visitors and said it may deter parents from bringing children to a beach with a “big strip club sign” in sight.

She added: “If tourism goes down in Redcar, even more businesses will fail and shut down and there will be nothing left.” 

But Teesside University student, Scarlett Donnelly, 20, said she thinks the billboard is a “PG version” of what they could have produced.

“It’s only a silhouette and could have been worse,” she said. “I understand why people aren’t happy with it, given the location and nature of it, but at the same time they have a right to advertise.”  

Outside adverts, exceeding  0.3m², require approval under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. This decision is based on the sign’s visual impact and safety. The content of this is regulated separately by the Advertising Standards Authority.