HOTELIERS have objected to proposals to open a new lap dancing club in York, above an established night club.

Representatives for both the Hampton by Hilton Hotel on Toft Green and Safestay Tourist Hostel on Micklegate have written to the council about fears that allowing a "sexual entertainment venue" to open above Tokyo nightclub will damage the city's tourist trade.

The club's licensing application is due to be decided by City of York Council's Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee on Monday and the council has received eleven objections to the plans, including neighbouring tourism businesses.

The committee will have to consider the objections by Hilton representatives, who say the hotel is already suffering from noise made by people leaving the nightclub. Guests often complain about being disturbed by the nightclub noise, and the hotel has had to refund many who have claimed the noise has ruined their stay in York.

In a letter to the council, the hotel chain's Mark Nogal said: "Our reputation is being hindered by the noise coming from the night club across from the hotel in York, and the impact on out guests.

"We are concerned about a potential change to the licence of the club that could result in even more noise coming from the patrons of the club.

"I ask that you consider the impact this could have on our hotel and the guests that are travelling to York."

The Safestay Hostel on Micklegate backs on to the Tokyo site and its lawyers have also written to the council with concerns over potential noise problems from club patrons.

The hostel accommodates many school groups, and managers who are concerned that a nearby sexual entertainment venue would be inappropriate for the area have registered strong objections to the scheme.

The letter said: "As a tourist hostel which aims to bring both UK and foreign tourists of all ages, including school groups and teenagers, to York my clients feel it is wholly inappropriate to have the aforementioned strip club usage in the immediate area and overlooking the hostel premises."

They are concerned that granting the license would harm the hostel's reputation for providing a safe place for children young people to stay.

The plans have also attracted objections from York Feminist Network concerned that it would operate close to York's only other strip club, and near several sensitive venues like women's refuges, schools, nurseries, community centres.