Confirmation needed on whether this is still operating or not. Some google searches reveal it is, some that it's been knocked down....
ooOOoo
Police Oppos-ition to Licence Bid Fails
Though I left home in the far North of Scotland over fifteen years ago, my Mother (bless!) still sends me the local paper every week. Normally, this would not be a matter of any interest to TaBsters, but...well, read on for a insight into why I have no intention of returning to that corner of the world!
A Moray nightclub owner came close to losing her public entertainment licence - and her livelihood - following complaints by Grampian police over the running of the premises where erotic dancing and strip shows took place. Moray Licensing Board held a special hearing to consider whether Mrs. Lynette Geddes of the Brig Motel, St.Catherine's Road, Forres, was a fit and proper person to be the holder of a licence.
The police complained the use of her nightclub Oppos had caused undue public nuisance or a threat to public order and safety, cataloguing a number of incidents which, it was claimed, had given rise to serious concerns about the manner in which the premises were being operated and the suitability of Mrs. Geddes as licensee and her husband, Mr. Charles Geddes, as manager.
Among the incidents called into question were the exploits of a team of raunchy male performers who stripped naked and simulated sex with clothed members of the ladies-only audience, which included two undercover policewomen. An earlier stage show advertised as exotic dancing, featured a man and woman stripping off and rubbing oil over each other, with no indication having been given to patrons the show would be so sexually explicit. None of the activities at Oppos attracted complaints, the board was told. A subsequent alleged incident in February is currently subject to court proceedings.
The raising of a complaint to the licensing board is a serious matter and such a decision is not taken lightly, said Chief Inspector Laurie Stewart on behalf of Grampian Police Chief Constable Andrew Brown. "Members of the board should be under no illusion as to the seriousness of the matter," he added.
The first incident dated back to August 1997, with the exotic dance show which the police claimed had not been properly advertised, following which Mr. Geddes undertook to ensure any future advertising for shows would leave patrons in no doubt as to what to expect. Two police officers present at a ladies only night at Oppos in July formed the view that the performance of the male dancers was of an indecent nature. During the routine, the naked performers invited members of the audience to touch them and the finale involved a number of patrons removing their underwear and throwing it on stage. Mr. and Mrs. Geddes were charged with a contravention of the Licensing (Scotland) Act but no proceedings were taken by the Procurator Fiscal at Elgin, "But is this the type of act Moray Licensing Board grants an entertainment licence for?" Chief Insp. Stewart questioned. ...Oppos, operated by Mrs. Geddes for 10 years, provides pleasure and entertainment to 30,000 patrons a year, said advocate Mr. Robert Skinner, representing the licensee. It also provides 11 full and part-time jobs. "There has never been any complaint or problem with the neighbours," he said. The first police complaint centred on an act which had been booked through a reputable agency and continues to be performed throughout pubs and clubs, the board heard. An electronic sign was displayed throughout the evening advising customers that anyone offended by nudity should leave the premises and would be readmitted after the show. "Towards midnight, there was no discernible stampede of patrons to the door, no one complained about it and everyone enjoyed it," said Mr. Skinner. "What makes this act unacceptable in Forres but not elsewhere?"
Over the past decade the nightclub has hosted gentlemen only nights and Mr. and Mrs. Geddes decided it was only fair to host a ladies night. "The entertainment was of a risque and raunchy nature and to say that anyone attending was not aware of that and thought they might be attending a tap dance is nonsense," Mr. Skinner said. The board were provided with statements from three of the ladies who attended the event, all saying it was nothing more than a fun girls' night out. "There were no complaints, the was no disorder or nuisance - the only noise was laughing and cheering so what is the basis for the complaint?" Mr. Skinner asked.
Following an adjournment, the board unanimously decided not to suspend the entertainment licence for Oppos.
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