The owner of a lap-dancing club in Wilmslow has hit out at new efforts by ‘moral’ campaigners to shut down his premises and challenged them to visit the business.

Peter Tapper, the boss of the ST Lounge, on Grove Street, was responding to critics trying to overturn his annual application for renewal of the club’s licence next month.

One of his main opponents is the former Cheshire East council leader Coun Wesley Fitzgerald, who is backing calls for a review of the licence and the suitability of a ‘sex club’ in Wilmslow.

Coun Fitzgerald said: “I have full sympathy with the many objectors who strongly resent the presence of such an inappropriate trade on what is a main shopping street in Wilmslow.

“During the day its frontage with shutters down and a carpet of fag ends and so on from the previous night’s activities is a depressing sight for morning shoppers.”

Mr Tapper, who says he employs more than 40 staff and dancers and pays more than £27,000 a year in business rates to Cheshire East, said: “This statement by Coun Fitzgerald smacks of self-indulgence and I challenge him to come and see what happens here.

“This is not a sex club and we follow very strict rules, which are monitored by the police.“I am angry that this group is part of the ‘blue-rinse brigade’ and ‘moral minority’ that are trying to dictate to the adults in Wilmslow how to spend their money and their time of an evening or weekend.”

Mr Tapper said he had plans to spend money to refurbish the premises but had to wait until his licence was renewed before going ahead with it.

“This is the thin edge of the wedge, and I have no intention of spending £30,000-£40,000 on the club, if the licence is withdrawn.

“We are already in an economic recession and there are shops up and down the main street that are empty. Does Coun Fitzgerald really want yet another white elephant on his hands?”

Coun Fitzgerald added: “The legality of this enterprise is not in question, merely its location. It is in the wrong place and is causing offence to many Wilmslow residents.”

In August 2012 Wilmslow Town Council voted in favour of Wilmslow being designated a ‘zero locality’ for sexual entertainment venues by the licensing authority, Cheshire East council. Make Wilmslow Matter argues that this would be the best way to restore the town’s image.

The deadline for supporting or objecting to the licence application is Monday, February 18.