Highland lapdance club manager faces council probe

A COUNCIL worker, whose second job is as boss of a city nightclub where lap dancing has been granted for the first time in the Highlands, is to face his nine-to-five manager to discuss his “extra-curricular” activities.

The manager of the club granted a lapdancing licence works at Highland Council. Picture: TSPL

Shane Manning, 46, is a principal traffic support official at Highland Council. But in the evenings and at weekends, he is in charge of Hush Nightclub in Inverness as operations manager.

The two jobs appear to be poles apart, and the local authority insists there is no question of a conflict of interest.

However, a spokesman added that “the director will be meeting him soon to discuss the wider issues of his work outwith the council”.

Mr Manning – one of just over 20 people in Scotland to play the role of a Stormtrooper in the Star Wars films – spoke to councillors only last week in his role as nightclub boss – making a bid to host lap dancing at his venue.

The controversial application was granted by Highland Licensing Board, despite concerns voiced by women activists and religious groups.

A source said the meeting with his superiors comes following the appearance before the board, with colleagues making remarks about the duel role.

Mr Manning said he had taken a holiday on the day of his appearance at the licensing board, and was there as an individual and not a council staff member.

He added: “I have worked in the night-time economy for 25 years at the same time as being employed by Highland Council and there has never been a conflict of interest.

“I keep the two things separate and I do not wish to discuss them. What I do at weekend and at night time is only my concern. I have no reason to change that.”

BACKGROUND:

• Inverness lap dancing club given green light

• Nightclub bid to bring lap-dancing to Highlands