Swinger parties club says it's above board

Katie's Gentleman's Health Club in the former Foresters Arms pub

A GENTLEMAN'S health club which holds swinger parties has hit back at allegations it is being run as a brothel.

Following complaints from residents about the nature of the business, Oldham Council is running a live planning enforcement case on Katie's Gentleman's Health Club on Oldham Road in Failsworth, which opened on January 30 with a buffet and champagne reception.

However, Kate, who runs the club, says they are liaising with the council and there is nothing untoward going on at the premises, which was formerly the Foresters Arms pub.

Concerns were raised with councillors about the club, which on its website indicated services on offer as well as provocative images of various women. The website has since changed with the images removed and the prices now relate to masseuses and the entry fee for parties which include swinger, stag, private and all-night parties.

Kate defended the swinger parties, suggesting it was not up to people to decide what was moral and what wasn't and that the people who attend them are all adults who make a choice.

She said: "It is not for people to say. They have only got an opinion when it is on their doorstep. It shouldn't be for anyone to say really, people are too quick to point the finger. We pay taxes like everybody else.

"The people who come here are all adults and they make a choice to come here. The people who come to the swinger parties pay an entrance fee because it is a party, ladies come in free. We have had a few locals in and we have had a lot of positive feedback."

With regards to the council's planning enforcement, Kate said they were complying with the council's investigation and were required to fill in a change of use form because the club was classed as entertainment but must change that because they no longer serve alcohol.

She said as part of the investigation they have addressed health and safety issues and have put in place the appropriate number of fire extinguishers.

Kate said: "We had a meeting with the council and everything is above board.

"We have had the fire extinguishers put in, we have had health and safety done, we haven't done anything untoward.

"We were classed as entertainment but because we don't sell alcohol we are having to make an application for change of use. We are liaising with the council."

An Oldham Council spokesperson said: "We have a live planning enforcement case on this matter and our investigations are ongoing."