A SEAFRONT pub which hosts exotic dancers has applied to renew its sexual entertainment license.

Customers visiting the Cornucopia, in Marine Parade, Southend, can currently enjoy table dancing and pole dancing from 8pm. Bosses now want to start the evening entertainment 30 minutes earlier - from 7.30pm.

An application submitted to Southend Council by Adam Maurice Stimson reads: “Details can be summarised as follows - to use the ground and third floor to provide full or partial nudity, striptease, pole dancing and table dancing.

“Also to provide entertainment listed above daily from 7.30pm to 12.30am.”

There are currently six premises that hold Sex Establishment Licences in the borough - including Sunset, in Lucy Road; Entice, in Warrior House; Foresters, in Marine Parade; Private Shop, in Alexandra Street and Harmony, in London Road.

In 2011 the Policing and Crime Act introduced a third category of Sex Establishment Licences - covering striptease, lap and table dancing and similar entertainment.

Lawrence Davies, independent councillor for Kursaal ward, has raised concerns about the application - as the nearby seafront arcades are often still full with families at 7.30pm.

He said: “I don’t think its necessarily good for family culture, although I have no particular problem it.

“It could be the sharp end of a wedge.

“I would like to see a more family based culture along the seafront that early in the day.”

Owner Heather Stimson told the Echo shows are still likely to start around 8pm once the dancers - many who travel from Kent - are ready. She said: “Anything after 9pm is too late to start because people have work the following morning.”

The application will be decided by Southend Council’s licensing committee.