'Pole dancing Olympics' and burlesque show plan at King's Cross Scala nightclub sparks row

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A ROW has erupted over plans to hold a the "pole dancing Olympics" and an international burlesque show at a King's Cross nightclub.

Residents have reacted furiously to the news that Miss Pole Dance UK will be held at the Scala nightclub on Pentonville Road later this year.

Meanwhile the club will also host the London Burlesque Festival next month.

Organisers describe the event as an opportunity for "Londoners as well as burlesque connoisseurs" to enjoy "more than 100 of the world's best burlesque, striptease and variety acts, ranging from the nostalgic traditional style of burlesque's early years to 50s bump and grind as well as modern avant-garde interpretations."

But critics say that the adults-only events will bring sleaze back to an area which they have worked hard to reinvent.

A lengthy police operation plus the ongoing regeneration of the area have succeeded in cleaning up a district once synonymous with prostitution, drugs and sex shops.

Resident and campaigner Harvey Bass said: "I am shocked by this. We worked very hard for a long time to clean up the area and this goes against everything we have been working for. The Scala was given money from the King's Cross Partnership many years ago to improve the area. It was supposed to be an arts centre.

"This is not going to improve the image of the area. It is a great, great shame this is happening."

However, Ryan Bissett, director of the Scala, defended both events.

"Miss Pole Dance UK is hosted in very similar fashion to the widely known Miss World Event; the performers from around the world exhibit their athletic dance techniques with the aid of a pole and are interviewed on stage by a host as part of a competition," he said.

"Last year’s event was attended by an 80 per cent female audience.  The Burlesque Festival is a themed event that gives our customers and performers the opportunity to dress up in vintage costumes. No nudity or sex acts will be displayed or performed at both events which are fully licensed and have their own creative and artistic merits to be enjoyed."

He added: "Scala brings a diverse and vibrant programme of clubbing and live music events to the local area and has done for almost 10 years, breathing life, not sleaze into the expanding night time economy of Kings Cross."