A POPULAR social club in Clydebank was almost ‘stripped’ of its licence to sell alcohol after breaking rules by hosting a stripper.

The saucy entertainment was booked for a joint 21st birthday party at 543 Club in Dalmuir on May 2, 2015 — but without the permission of the venue owners.

Bar staff claimed they could not see the stripper performing due to the large crowd — and instead thought the birthday cake was being cut.

Managers of the 543 Club were hauled before the licensing board of West Dunbartonshire Council last week because the premises does not hold an adult entertainment license.

It was one of three incidents which have raised concerns with Police Scotland in the past year.

Friends of two young men celebrating their 21st birthday booked the stripper without the permission of the Masonic Lodge who own and run the venue.

Police became aware of the stripper after officers were called to a disturbance involving the young woman who performed the dance routine.

Criminal proceedings are underway in relation to incident, which saw people injured at the club and a delay in telephoning the police when trouble first arose.

Robert Dawson, the lawyer representing the 543 Club at the public hearing, told councillors bar staff were unable to see the stripper because of the 130-strong crowd that had gathered around the boys, whom staff believed where cutting the birthday cake at the other end of the hall.

Staff were then delayed in calling police when violence broke out because they were administering first aid, he said.

Peter Clyde, licensing standards officer at West Dunbartonshire Council, told the meeting on Tuesday, June 16: “The failure to call the police as the incidents unfolded was a fundamental and inexplicable failure.” But he added: “I’m pleased to report the premises has taken into account all of the advice I had previously given them. All staff had been given additional training, the wrist bands [to identify people aged 18 and above] have been put into practice, with an increased awareness of drunken and disorderly behaviour.

“My feedback had been to increase the level of meaningful supervision and I have told the bar convenor of the importance of identifying the potential issues before they happen.

“In my view they have approached their issues head on and put measures in place to ensure these incidents do not happen again.” Councillor Jonathan McColl said. “The small management team in place will work with our licensing standards officer and police in order to put the necessary controls in place.” The stripping incident came after Police Scotland had earlier expressed concerns about disorder and youngsters being permitted entry late at night.

On October 2014, a 16 year old girl slipped and fell on the dance floor injuring herself after 10pm, a time when under 18s are not permitted to be on the premises, and on November 8, 2014 an ambulance was called to the club when a 16-year-old girl was found unconscious after drinking alcohol.

Although there was no suggestion the girl had been served alcohol in the club, she again should not have been in the club after 10pm.

The 543 Club has since secured an amendment to its license where under 18s are permitted to attend private functions up until midnight.