A TORQUAY sex club where ‘fantasies come to life’ has been given permission to carry on swinging after councillors heard glowing testimonies from its members.

Within Temptation has been open in Temperance Street since 2021 and has built up a loyal clientele in a building that was once the Hop and Grapes pub – known to locals as the ‘Hope and Grope’.

On its website the club invites patrons to ‘experience the ultimate adult playground where fantasies come to life’.

It goes on: “Our exclusive club offers a safe and exciting environment for open-minded individuals to explore the world of kink and swinging lifestyle.”

Members of Torbay Council’s licensing sub-committee agreed to award the club a ‘sex entertainment venue’ licence despite the fact that there are already two such licence holders in the bay – the council’s own self-imposed limit.

After seeing documents including a floor plan which includes a ‘dungeon’, they said Within Temptation offered something different from the existing licensed venues.

Regular customers told councillors the venue brought business into the town centre and supported local independent hotels.

One wrote: “It has provided a unique and safe place to socialise and share common values with like-minded individuals. I would commonly recommend this place to my friends as a ‘pub with safeguarding’.

“The owners, employees and licensing provide a safe atmosphere for all types of people that set foot through the door.”

Another said: “I have been through years of sexual and relationship abuse and found this to be a safe place to talk to others about subjects that you couldn’t talk about in a normal pub setting.

“For many it has built confidence and friendship whilst supporting others with mental health support.”

The club has operated under a sex entertainment venue licence since May 2024, and there have been no complaints from responsible authorities, local residents or other interested parties. No objections were received from the police, environmental health officials or any other responsible authority.

The minutes of the sub-committee meeting say: “Members were satisfied that the premises provided a managed environment for a niche community with clear rules, membership requirements and welfare arrangements in place.

“Members also noted the consistent evidence that the premises provided a safe and inclusive environment for individuals who may not feel comfortable or accepted in other licensed venues.”