Swindon’s Dream Lounge adult entertainment venue, which is seeking to renew its premises license, has sparked considerable online debate as residents and former patrons voice diverse opinions about its future.

The licence application, submitted by Sandra Rogers, aims to keep the venue at its current Victoria Road location, allowing operations from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday to Sunday.

The application can be reviewed publicly at the Swindon Borough Council offices.

The venue, which has become a fixture in Swindon’s nightlife, has elicited a mix of reactions from the community.

While some locals and former patrons argue for its continued operation, citing economic benefits and personal freedom, others express concern, raising issues of morality and the appropriateness of an adult club in the town centre.

A segment of the public perceives Dream Lounge as an established, even nostalgic, part of Swindon’s nightlife.

Christina Scubabe, a former employee, describes it as a safe work environment where the dancers—many of whom are mothers or students—find a supportive atmosphere under female management.

She argues that the venue provides these women a secure income source and insists that the club poses no public harm, being discreetly situated away from central foot traffic.

Similarly, Ria Gabriel voiced that so long as the business remains legal and prioritises the well-being of its employees, others should not take issue with it.

Clive Rainbow agreed, citing individual freedom of choice as paramount, while another commenter, Rich Lee Innes, encouraged people to support the venue’s continued operation.

Some community members have taken a more sentimental approach to the discussion, arguing that Dream Lounge is part of Swindon’s “gems” that should be preserved.

Tom Hardy joked that efforts to save the lounge should match campaigns to protect other local landmarks, and Trevor Nelson humorously reminisced about previous businesses at the location, which highlights the long-standing cultural significance of the address.

However, not all comments were favourable.

Caroline Cabrita expressed moral disapproval of the venue, while another commenter, Mark Winslow, plainly stated it should be shut down.

These perspectives suggest a view among some that such establishments detract from Swindon’s image or values, though no specific concerns regarding public safety or crime were mentioned.

The discussion on Dream Lounge’s fate also reveals a generational divide and changing attitudes about nightlife and adult entertainment.

Older residents recall former businesses with a sense of nostalgia, while younger commenters acknowledge the club as a lively spot that offers social and economic benefits to those working there and enjoying its offerings.

The existence of such a club is not unusual to many, and this reflects broader cultural shifts around the presence of adult entertainment in local economies.

Swindon Borough Council will weigh these varied perspectives in deciding whether Dream Lounge should retain its license.

The debate raises key questions about personal freedom, the economic benefits of nightlife venues, and their place in community spaces.

Any person who wishes to object to this application must give notice of their objection in writing to the following address: Licensing Authority, Swindon Borough Council, Wat Tyler West Floor 5, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH or by emailing licensing@swindon.gov.uk no later than November 25, 2024.

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