LGBT club could be built at old Wolverhampton supermarket

An application has been submitted to Wolverhampton Council to convert Bargain King, in Pitt Street, into the club which would be called Purity.

Applicant Clive Thomason said the club would be a place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning) and others to meet without 'prejudice or judgement'.

He added it would be a members-only club, to help control entry and avoid tourists and 'predators' and be strictly for for over 18s. Six parking spaces would be provided.

The interior of the building is described as dilapidated and in need of a re-fit but no changes would be made to the exterior.

In his application, Mr Thomason said: “We already operate a social network and have managed bars in Southside Birmingham and our members come from around the UK and require somewhere to meet in the Midlands area.

“There are also visitors from other groups both in the UK and in Europe who may visit now and again and are always looking for a suitable social venue to meet friends in.

“We offer a place that is not judgemental or critical of any personal orientation and offer a safe environment where people can act in any way they wish to if legal and consensual.

“We are mindful of child protection, those with social anxiety and awkwardness and reduced capabilities and we have mentored and protected many in the past.

“Our group management consists of gender fluid personnel, T-girls, bi males, gay females, pre and post-op persons, so we have a large area of expertise.

“Within the venue will be alternative make-up and changing rooms, with assistance and access to counselling if required.

“The club will be called Purity and advertised as an LGBTQ+ friendly social club, with room hire facilities.

“We operate as a members club, but not in the legal sense; the membership is to control entry and avoid tourists and predators.

“It will be an over-18s venue, requesting all alternative persons to dress appropriately on arrival as we have changing rooms inside; although we accept that the law now accommodates for sexually diverse groups, we are sensible when it comes to the protection of children and moral decency. There will be no windows viewing into the building.

He added: “We will have workshops regularly, social events such as cocktail parties, steam punk events, 80s disco, specialist gender events and music nights.”

If permission is granted, the club hopes to operate from 10am to 11pm week nights, until 2.30am on Fridays, 3.30am on Saturdays and closed at 9pm on Sundays.