A former nightspot in Banbury is to become a strip club.

Cherwell District Council has given planning permission to convert the old Churchill's premises, above shops in Broad Street, into 'a gentleman's club' which will feature striptease, pole dancing, and rooms where strippers can dance naked for clients.

Eric Heath, chairman of the council's licensing committee, said there had been no objections to the application.

He said: "For that reason, council officers passed the scheme without putting it to the committee. They saw no grounds to refuse the application.

"We shall soon see if local people want the club and, if there are any problems, it will be referred back to the licensing committee."

Town council leader John Colegrave said: "The public will decide its future. If there is a demand for that type of entertainment, it will be a success but, if few people use it, no doubt it will close down. Time will tell."

Strict conditions will apply. Cherwell Council has ordered that photographs of striptease, lap dancing, pole-dancing, or tableside dancing must not be displayed on or near the premises, and that no-one under 18 should be admitted to the club while striptease, lap dancing, pole-dancing, or tableside dancing are taking place.

The council also wants CCTV to monitor all areas where dancing takes place and for the recordings to be available to the police or licensing officers for a minimum of 28 days.

The licensing hours for the club will be 5pm to 1am Sundays to Wednesdays, and 5pm to 2am Thursdays to Saturdays.