The party's over for Sunderland swingers venue as it's refused a licence

Council chiefs launched an inquiry to establish if a property in Mowbray Close in Sunderland city centre was being used as a private members’ club after the team behind Vivente announced that it was relaunching its events.

Vivente had operated from a building in Hudson Road, Hendon, but it closed it in April last year after Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service raised concerns over safety.

Private clubs require a licence, and the property in Mowbray Close did not have one.

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: “The council had been made aware of a private club operating at these premises and looked into whether there may be any breaches of planning or building regulation issues.

“The council is advised that managing agents for this property have contacted one set of prospective tenants and refused them any lease.”

Vixens Intimate Parties, billing itself as a private members’ club, had tweeted pictures of its new bar and promised “the same young, sexy vibe we created that gave us a good reputation in the first place”, also saying, via its Vivente account, that it was back.

Hendon ward councillor Barbara McClennan hit out at the plans to relaunch the events, which she had opposed when they were run in Hudson Road.

She said: “There was an intelligence-gathering exercise after we had our suspicions and took appropriate action.

“I’m delighted that the officers were so fast in taking the opportunity to close it.

“If they want to open that kind of premises, they have to make sure they meet the legal requirements, to meet fire regulations and alcohol licensing if it was being served, and they didn’t have either.

“If they had made too much noise, the neighbours could have complained, and the council would have issued a noise abatement order.”

Coun McClennan had previously said: “It’s not the kind of thing that we want or need in our city and particularly the Hendon ward.”

On Twitter, @vixensparties had said it was “a stunning new location for open-minded adults living an alternative and swinging lifestyle. It also tweeted: “Naughty night in Sunderland. Head to club vixens and meet your hosts.”

The club’s bosses have not been available for comment.