Raunchy bar near ancient church in Durham city (From Durham Times)

Raunchy bar near ancient church in Durham city

8:00am Saturday 11th August 2012 in News By Mark Tallentire, Reporter (Durham)

A barmaid at the bar.

A RAUNCHY bar with scantilyclad waitresses and topless barmen has opened only yards from a city’s 900-year-old church.

Sports bar Boxers has opened in Crossgate, Durham City, opposite St Margaret’s Church and near leafy South Street.

The all-female waitressing team, including some part-time models, wear short tennis skirts and sports bras. After 7pm, the barmen strip down to boxing shorts.

The bar was the idea of Joel Bond, who was born and raised in the city. About £100,000 has been spent on transforming a near- 3,000sq ft former Japanese restaurant, creating up to 14 jobs.

Mr Bond said: “It is something new and something different. I believe it will be an asset to Durham, rather than something detrimental.”

The bar opened six weeks ago, with the restaurant, which will serve US diner-style food, set to follow on Monday.

No one at St Margaret’s Church could be contacted for comment yesterday.

Mr Bond said: “It has been very busy. We get the odd passer-by having a look. They perhaps have a snigger, but we have not had any massive complaints.”

Earlier this year, the Eazy Street cabaret club opened nearby, promising to bring Vegasstyle glamour to Durham. Despite an investment of about £80,000, it closed after six weeks.

In 2008, residents saw off an attempt to open a lap-dancing club in North Road.

However, Mr Bond believes he is offering something people want, saying: “I think so – and hope so.”

Mr Bond, who opened Boxers with support from chartered surveyor and property agent Bradley Hall, said he wants to open more restaurants and nightclubs in Durham City and across the region over the next 12 months.

Boxers has eight plasma televisions, showing sport.

Mr Bond said: “The premises are in an area of the city which is currently undergoing a huge regeneration, and I hope the new place will provide a massive boost.”