A STRIP club could be opened in a former Southampton bar.

Kelly’s Bar, in London Road, could be turned into a strip club which, according to plans, could stay open as late as 6am seven days a week.

The new bar is planned to be on the ground floor and is set to be called Black Diamond.

But the plans have drawn criticism by one city politician, who has described strip clubs as “sexist” and a “thing of the past”.

Southampton City Council’s leisure chief, Satvir Kaur, said: “I would like to believe strip bars are a thing of the past.

“I don’t feel comfortable with sexist institutions like strip clubs, that objectify women and I don’t want my young nieces growing up in a society where things like this are still normalised.”

Councillor Kaur’s comments come after Southampton Club Limited applied to the city council for a sexual entertainment venue licence.

According to the application, the type and nature of the entertainment to be provided will be naked dancing in booths, on stage and VIP rooms.

The plans also say there premises will operate a “no intentional contact rule”.

and that door staff with radio links will supervise sexual entertainment, the conduct of performers and audience.

The private rooms will not be fully enclosed by a door and will enable observations by door staff.

The application is set to be discussed by the Licensing Committee at SCC, but a date has not been set.

Councillor Toqeer Kataria, who represents Bevois Ward, said: “Any objections or support from the public will be taken into consideration. It is important that business in the ward and city thrive and at the same time public opinion is heard.”

If permission will be granted, the strip club in London Road will be the third in the city centre, following the opening of For Your Eyes Only in High Street and the Wiggle in Above Bar Street.

A legal representative of Southampton Club Limited declined to comment.