BOURNEMOUTH businessman Richard Carr's controversial "upmarket gentleman's dining club" was granted retrospective planning permission on Monday.

The bar and club owner was forced to submit a change of use application for Wiggle Supper Rooms in Old Christchurch Road following an investigation by council enforcement officers.

After long and heated discussions, planning board members endorsed their officer's recommendation to grant the application.

Mr Carr told the board how he had spotted "a hole in the market for an upmarket gentleman's dining club".

He said: "I know it doesn't suit everyone's taste but you don't have to go there if you don't like it. Food is available at all times."

Cllr Roger West said: "I'm glad we are getting a bit of honesty now. This is a lap-dancing club with food."

However, he praised the developers for "bringing a lovely old building back to life."

But ward councillor David Smith said he had received many objections from members of the public and voiced "serious concerns about the depths to which some premises are sinking in this town.

"What concerns me is the gradual eroding away of the intended purpose," he stressed.

Cllr John Beesley said: "I don't believe the operation will be predominately food-led and I can see plenty of other premises likely to go down this road."

Approval was granted on the condition that food is available at all times at the former register office.

Seven councillors voted in favour of the move and three voted against.

However, Mr Carr's request for a 3.30am closing time was refused after the board agreed that the premises should shut at 1am from Sunday to Thursday and at 2am on Friday and Saturday.