PLANS to open a strip club in Paisley have been shelved following opposition from residents. 

Owners of The Cellar Bar in the town’s Lady Lane have withdrawn their application for a licence to introduce dance facilities and adult entertainment. 

Members of the community had objected to granting a licence, which could see the site open until 2am, due to fears of anti-social behaviour.

Margarent Dymond, vice chair of Paisley West and Central Community Council, said the group was “happy” to see the application withdrawn.

She added: “I told everybody at our meeting on Wednesday and we were all quite happy about it. 

“It might come back again, however, so we will need to keep an eye on it.”

The venue, which has been boarded up for a number of years, sits in the shadow of Coats Memorial Church and nearby fast food and university buildings. 

Concerns have also been raised about the example set by the bar to pupils who pass on their way to Castlehead High School.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren, who represents Paisley Northwest, had been assisting his constituents as they submitted formal objections. 

He described the withdrawal as a “victory” for residents.

Councillor MacLaren said: “The residents were unanimously against it. It’s a victory for them. They will be happy with the result. 

“The main issue was any potential anti-social behaviour The other one they had was there are a lot of school kids go past it on their way to and from Castlehead.

“It doesn’t set the right example for them, showing them that’s how you earn money when you are trying to encourage them to get an education.

“It’s also quite a residential area and local businesses had also objected.

“Most of the objections were from around there and across the road in George Street.”

Renfrewshire Council confirmed the application had been withdrawn before it went in front of the Licensing Board. 

A spokesman said: “An application to transfer and vary the premises licence at 28-30 Lady Lane was withdrawn prior to consideration by the Licensing Board.”