PERFORMERS at a Southampton strip club have said becoming a stripper was the "best decision" they have ever made.
Wiggle strip club has opened its doors again in Southampton after a refurbishment project worth around £250,000.
The club, which employs around 60 dancers, has now doubled in size and expanded into the building next door.
Dancers at the club have told the Echo that it is the best job they've ever had and a venue where they feel safe and respected.
One of the dancers, who goes by the name Malaika, started working at the club on Above Bar Street around two months ago.
She said: "It’s my first ever time working in a strip club and I don’t think I could work anywhere else.
"I got sick and couldn’t carry on with my last job, which was quite active, and I was in a tough spot financially so I kind of just thought, right I’m just going to become a stripper.
"It’s the best decision I ever made because now I’ve got a day job and this and it’s given me so much power sexually and my confidence as well."
The 22-year-old said she found the job by just searching 'how to become a stripper' online, and after starting the role her nerves "settled quite quickly".
A colleague, who goes by Latina, has been working at the club for four years and runs her own business alongside the job.
She said: "I’ve tried many places, I’ve been dancing in London, I’ve been dancing in Norway, in other clubs around the area and this is the safest. This is like my house.
"It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I like dancing, I can pick my shifts, it gives me freedom, I socialise with people all the time, I have fun with the customers, I have fun with the girls."
Manager, Taran Ojla told the Echo how the venue has a code of conduct to keep performers safe at all times. He said there is CCTV in all areas of the club and it is constantly monitored.
Latina said being in a safe environment is one of the most important things in her work.
"When we’re working we’re really safe," she said. "It’s a very safe environment for us because we are being watched all the time.
"Taran, the bouncers the staff, they’re always looking after our wellbeing. Walking out of here is not as nice.
"I’ve been in other clubs and the rules have been not as strict as this one. Sometimes the customer wants to touch you.
"If there is not somebody trying to check the camera, it’s going to make me uncomfortable."
Malaika added: "Obviously you hear rumours about other strip clubs but this is a very protective place.
"There are cameras in every single room so you can’t really get away with doing anything here."
On top of the security at the club, performers are also supported by Amber, a Southampton-based Christian chaplaincy service that works with sex workers to promote their health and wellbeing.
Nikki Porter, from the chaplaincy, said: "We really enjoy coming and connecting in all the clubs in Southampton, Wiggle being one of those.
"We started coming in about four or five years ago. We really look to connect with women working here.
"We want to see women valued and have a sense of their wellbeing. We’re in challenging times and I think women supporting women are vital."
The service is appreciated by performers, most of whom haven't told members of their family or friends what they do for work.
Malaika said: "My family and most of my friends don’t know.
"It’s not that it’s a secret that I keep from them but it’s a part of myself that I keep close to my chest because I value it and I don’t want other people’s opinions and judgements to start impacting that.
"There’s a lot of judgement but that comes with the job."
Latina added: "Outside here, people will not look at you the same when you say you’re a stripper as if you work in a secretary job. They don’t say that’s respectful.
"I’m not telling my family what I do. But before I wouldn't say outside because people were really judgy but now I don’t mind. This is my job and this is what it is whether you like it or not."
Taran, who works for his dad the owner of Wiggle, described the clubs as a "nice friendly environment".
"My dad started about 20 years ago with his first club so we’ve got a wealth of experience," he said.
"I think you’ve got a lot of negative stereotypes associated with strip clubs. A lot of that comes from the media and movies.
"There’s the American style of strip club, and we’re British. We do it properly. We run them properly.
"All the dancers here, they love working with us. A lot of our dancers are balancing two jobs and they’re doing it as another form of income."
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