Stevenston Residents Concerned Over Alleged Unauthorized Club Operation

An ad surfaced for a club in Stevenston’s industrial estate. A similar plan failed in Kilwinning last November. A “social club” called Devil May Cry was supposed to open, advertised online for people over 18, and offered fantasy-themed experiences. Police and the council stopped it.

Now, those planners are looking at the Three Towns. The ad shows a “gay social club” called ‘Forbidden Pleasure’, listing the location and opening hours. The location looks discreet from the outside; a security car patrols the area, with CCTV monitors outside and security inside.

The place has “several play rooms,” the ad says. Membership is free, but entry costs £15, and they take both cash and card payments. Card payments show a different company name.

North Ayrshire needs licenses for “sexual entertainment.” ‘Forbidden Pleasure’ does not need one because they claim no sex workers operate there, and members are just consenting adults. They need a premises license to sell alcohol, which the venue does not have right now.

Members must bring their own drinks anyway. The building needs a “change of use” planning permit too. Edinburgh rejected a similar proposal before, worried about public safety and bad behavior there.

North Ayrshire Council says they got no permit request for the place advertised by Forbidden Pleasure. The council said they haven’t received an application, and Police Scotland got no reports about the venue. The council is responsible for this issue actually.

The situation is still developing right now.