THE owners of a new strip club in Swindon have promised the business will not be sleazy.

Late night venue the Godfather Club will open in Victoria Road tonight.

The creation of a second pole dancing club in the town centre has been criticised by shoppers and the Bishop of Swindon, Lee Rayfield.

The bishop said: “I don’t think Swindon needs another lap-dancing club because I don’t necessarily think it’s good for the people in there.

“I think people have to ask themselves ‘would you like your daughter doing this sort of thing with people slobbering all over her?’

“I certainly don’t think it dignifies either men or women.”

But co-owners Carmine Di Liso and Esther Grist said the club would provide a safe environment for couples.

Mr Di Liso, who has run similar venues in the past in his native Italy, said: “It’s a free country and he is the Bishop of Swindon. He can come here and have a drink and see the difference between a professional club and some back-street joint.

“I appreciate what he says but it’s a business – we need to make money.”

Up to 15 topless dancers will perform at the two-storey club’s official opening this evening.

Mr Di Liso said: “I don’t mean any offence with this venue. It will not be sleazy and there will be no drunken teenagers in here.

“We want nice customers looking for a relaxing and safe drink – I don’t want people to think they can’t bring their wife in here.”

He added: “It is important to realise this is not just for men – we will have male dancers for women too.

“I think we will succeed. There is a market for this and almost no competition.

“We also plan to have pole dancing lessons in here and hope to make the neighbourhood safer with bouncers standing outside our doors.”

Swindon currently has only one other pole dancing club – Foxies, in Theatre Square.

Old Town topless venue Rouge went out of business last year.