The owner of a strip club said he had “learned his lesson” after being fined thousands of pounds for breaching his licence.

Walter Angliss, owner of Twickenham’s Piano Lounge, admitted he had taken his “eye off the ball” because of long-running illness and admitted rules had been broken.

However, he still faces closure of the club, in King Street Parade, for three months after a suspension order imposed Richmond Council’s sub-committee in January.

He has appealed the ruling and the club’s fate will be decided at Richmond Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

The 58-year-old said: “My place is running like clockwork. The rules will be adhered to strictly.

“We are here to stay and I am going to make sure it is all above board with all the licensing rules met.”

Angliss, of Shelburne Drive, Whitton, was fined £5,765 when he appeared at Richmond Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

He pleaded guilty to breaking seven conditions of his licence following a police sting in September.

Undercover officers saw dancers in physical contact with customers and each other, and noted they did not remain standing during their performances, as required.

Thai massages were also being offered despite Angliss not having the necessary license.

Gary Grant, in mitigation, claimed much of the responsibility for the breaches fell on former club manager Eamonn Cosgrove, who had been left in charge of the club while Angliss was away.

He told the court: “He [Angliss] accepts he took his eye of the ball particularly in the last few years. The reason for this is he was ill.

“He was quite seriously ill which meant he had to spend long periods away from the Piano Lounge and that is why he decided to leave it to Eamonn Cosgrove.”

Magistrates ordered Angliss to pay £3,000 for breaching the conditions, plus £2,750 towards the council’s court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Residents living close to the club spoke at the time of their dissatisfaction with the suspension and said they were often disturbed by shouting and swearing from punters late at night.

Angliss has appealed the councillors’ ruling, which had allowed the club to remain open during the recent Six Nations games - preventing him losing between £40,000 and £45,000 in business, the court heard.

Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, Richmond Council’s deputy leader, said: “Licences exist for a very good reason – to regulate premises in an orderly way and, where it’s necessary, to protect people who use their services.”