Why Soho residents are objecting to a new strip club

Back in the day, Soho was the centre of London’s sex industry. But in 2025 the West End’s seedy history feels well in the past, with most of the area’s sex shops and clubs gone. 

Now residents fear that Soho will ‘return to the red light district of yore’ after proposals have been submitted for a new ‘full-nudity’ strip club in the area. 

Locals are trying to stop The Penthouse Club from opening in Soho’s Walker’s Court. The strip club, which has venues in United States, Australia and Russia, wants to take over the former site of the legendary nightclub and cabaret venue Madame JoJo’s. 

The Penthouse Club, owned by Louisiana-based businessman John Kirkendoll, insisted it will operate as a ‘premium’ venue if approved, and that it will also showcase music, drag and Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics.

But residents aren’t happy that the club would also have full nude performances. 

In a letter of objection ahead of a hearing at Westminster City Council on Thursday, February 27 one resident said: ‘Soho's changing nature means that increasingly families include a visit to the neighbourhood in their weekends or as part of their tourist visit to the city.

‘Are the clientele of a strip club likely to be the sorts of people to whom you wish to expose children and other unprepared visitors? Soho is no longer the seedy red-light district of yore.’

However, other locals are in favour if the club. One resident wrote that there was ‘no better location’ than Soho for a nudie venue. 

‘The applicant's proposal to bring back an adult entertainment venue in this building block represents an opportunity to maintain and protect this culturally significant characteristic of Soho,’ another person wrote.

Do you think Soho should bring back strip clubs, or stay family friendly? 

Revealed: the most popular sex toy sold in every London borough. 

Two massive revivals by Shakespeare and Sondheim have been announced for the Bridge Theatre.