A LAP dancing club featuring naked and topless women is to open in the heart of Worcester’s Lowesmoor.

The ‘Black Cherry’ gentleman’s club is to open at the former DNA club in the new year after a second, successful attempt by the businessman behind the scheme.

Ash Patel chose to withdraw plans for a similar club at the former Images and Funk nightclub, in the Butts, in September amid public outrage over possible corruption of young people and the club’s proximity to the Hive.

However, Mr Patel has succeeded in getting the old DNA club’s premises licence transferred to him two weeks ago, which will now allow him to now run the venue as a lap-dancing club.

There will be on average 15 different dancers performing each night, all of whom will have been selected “for their engaging personalities,” said a spokesman.

He said celebrities, including some big name television stars, had been invited to the opening, the date of which has yet to be confirmed.

“This is a Bohemian part of Worcester, very cosmopolitan. It is perfect for this venue,” he said.

The club will feature a main bar area and a stage but also six private dance booths and three VIP rooms.

Before midnight, dancers will wear elegant evening gowns but, after this time, they will be allowed to wear various outfits.

They will only be able to be fully naked in the private booths and the stage will feature topless rather than fully naked dancers.

The plan is to open from 9pm to 4am on weekdays and 9pm to 4.30am on Saturdays.

Mr Patel’s spokesman said the windows outside would be blacked out.

Ash Patel, the licensee, said: “I’m looking forward to opening the only licensed gentleman’s club in a 30-mile radius.

“This is a legal form of entertainment regulated by the council and by a licence, issued and paid for.”

Because the venue has an existing premises licence, as long as he does not try to vary the hours of operation Mr Patel does not have to apply for permission.

But the council has now adopted the regulations of the Policing and Crime Act, which will make it tougher for sexual entertainment facilities to get a licence in the future.