Spearmint Rhino lap-dancing club could lose liquor licence

Spearmint Rhino, the US lap-dancing chain, could have the liquor licence for its site in Tottenham Court Road, London, revoked later this month amid allegations of indecency.

The site could lose the right to sell alcohol after Scotland Yard's Club and Vice Unit presents evidence at a revocation hearing on August 19 at Highbury Corner magistrates court.

The site had its public entertainment licence revoked by Camden Council in March but is still able to trade as it is appealing against the decision.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Officers will make a case for revocation of the club's liquor licence on the grounds that indecent conduct has taken place on the premises and that the licensees are not fit to hold a licence."

Philip Whitehouse, vice-president for Spearmint Rhino UK, will be defending the case and has accused Camden Council of conducting a "witch-hunt". He has argued that the company has been given no information from the police on the grounds for revocation. He said: "I have no idea what the evidence is and there is no definition of the word indecency. I don't know what I am having to defend. Its just ridiculous."

Spearmint Rhino has been granted a new licence in Lambeth for a site near Vauxhall Bridge and is opening another in Birmingham this week.