MAIDSTONE MP Ann Widdecombe has warned that parts of the county town will become like London’s sex capital Soho unless the spread of adult entertainment venues is stopped.

Miss Widdecombe is angry at plans to introduce topless pole-dancing nights at the former Union Bar, in Pudding Lane, because she believes it will give Maidstone a “seedy” reputation.

Businessman Peter Nicholls wants to introduce the members’-only nights, featuring the erotic dancers, from Thursday, February 5.

The plan is part of an overhaul of the bar, now re-named the Basement, which the former doorman has just bought.

But the Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald has attacked the proposals which come in the same week as the opening of the controversial new Ann Summers shop in Week Street.

Miss Widdecombe said: “The planners of Maidstone want to take a long look at what is happening in this town. Neither this, nor Ann Summers, should be allowed. We have already got a huge pub and club culture and what we actually need now is a bit more family entertainment, certainly not sailing in this direction.”

She added: “The planners need to take control if they don’t want Maidstone to become the same sort of place that Soho became to London. If we go on like this, Maidstone will be known as seedy. Is this how we want to sell ourselves as a town?”

The church has also voiced its discontent at the proposals.

The Bishop of Maidstone, the Rt Rev Graham Cray, said: “I think that sort of thing is exploitative of women. I don’t think it helps anyone male or female to make stable relationships.

“The church has a poor track record of being negative about sex. We think it’s wonderful but only in a permanent, committed relationship. Pole dancing does little to encourage that.”

Maidstone Borough Council leader Cllr Mick Stevens (Lib Dem), said that even if councillors had objected to the siting of the Ann Summers store, or the pole-dancing night, they did not have the power to veto either.

He said: “Ann Summers does not need permission from the authorities as it is not classed as a sex shop. As the pole dancing is a private members’ club night, they do not need to apply for a licence either. If Miss Widdecombe is making the point that local authorities do not have sufficient powers, I would agree with her.”

Mr Nicholls has defended his plans, saying: “It’s not like someone walking past and it being in their face. There will be nothing on the front of my club that will be indicative of any stripping going on inside.

“Stripping is the oldest art form in the world. At the end of the day you can’t change man and woman. The choice of people to visit the club is their own.”