​A new club and hotel owner in Gloucester City Centre says tolerance is the key to his business’s success.

The owner of Mystiques Hotel in Southgate Street, is asking people to see the former New County Hotel for themselves, before judging the new “lifestyle” venue.

Owner Harry Sykes said: “We are putting on a number of events for members of the public and are looking for everyone’s support for this fantastic venue, which is performing well in such a short period of time.

“We have restored this Grade II-listed building, more than a dozen people have been given jobs and in the wider community we are promoting social inclusion and cohesion through education.”

The formerly rundown hotel has now been transformed into a public bar and restaurant with a new menu, including a wide selection of vegetarian meals. Separate from the hotel is Club Mystique, which is decorated with erotic art and boasts a laser-lit dance floor and other ancillary rooms to use.

The venue opened a month ago and bills itself as the biggest gay and lifestyle venue in the South West, catering for swingers and “fun-loving, like-minded people”.

Mr Sykes said he was planning to bring a lot of new events to the venue. He said: “The investors have spent a lot of money restoring the hotel and it is looking much better now, but is still undergoing continual improvement to its décor and rooms. We have lots of events running and are looking for more ideas, too.” We are running special offers for Valentine’s Day.

“Then every week on Mondays people can attend our ‘walk and talk’ (guided tour) at the hotel and we are looking at putting a mixture of classes on in the early evenings aimed at pole dancing and burlesque.

“On Wednesdays we have a free salsa night where people can come and practice their salsa moves free of charge.

“Thursdays is singles’ night for everyone to come and see and is part of our online dating website.

“Fridays, we have our newly-launched gay night hosted by the fabulous ‘Miss Felicia’, who is a brilliant Lady Gaga-style drag act.

“Then Saturdays we have public party nights rotated with occasional ‘lifestyle’ party for our members.”

Events include guided tours of the venue, pole-dancing and burlesque classes, a weekly singles’ night, gay nights and occasional “lifestyle” parties for members.

When it opened, Club Mystique came under some criticism.

But Mr Sykes defended the lifestyle nights, saying: “Lifestyle nights are incredibly busy, they are the ones who have supported us the most. People have come from Truro, Essex, London, Birmingham, Oxfordshire and further afield.

“These people are respectable, lovely people. We don’t have any problem with drunkenness or any trouble at all. They are all respectful, warm, sociable, professional people and every event so far has been a great success.

“When they arrive, they stay overnight and pay for parking in the council car parks and visit attractions in the city.

“They then go on to shop in the city centre and designer outlet centre in the Docks, bringing more trade into Gloucester.”

For more information about the hotel, or to become a member, visit www.clubmystique.co.uk or call 01452 500 033.