HIDDEN in the depths of a quiet industrial estate street, The New Gatehouse is a simple, unassuming building. Unless you were looking for it, you would have no idea the secrets awaiting inside.

Little do many residents of Farnworth know, The New Gatehouse on Cawdor Street is a swingers club, stocked with paraphernalia for a range of adult activities, including BDSM.

Owner Daniel Jemmett showed The Bolton News around the club, where customers are greeted at reception and can buy refreshments before heading further inside.

Past the front desk area is the lounge room, where people can meet up, chat and decide who they like. Fitted with a pole and surrounding seating, the colourful ultraviolet lights create a mood. Down the corridor are a number of rooms including the cinema room, a specialised BDSM room with props such as whips, and small rooms with beds inside.

To the back of the club, there is an outdoor seating area complete with greenery, where people can socialise and smoke.

Within 50 yards of the club, adult store Alternative2fetish also allows customers to buy outfits and toys if they wish.

The club, however, is at the centre of a controversy, with a customer complaining that the club is not as it once was.

ONE Bolton swinger says he can no longer enjoy ‘a cup of tea and BDSM’ at his local club - after the owners introduced new services.

The customer says he used to enjoy a hot drink and bit of bondage at The New Gatehouse club in Cawdor Street, Farnworth. But he says since the club was taken over, it’s just not the same.

The new owners of the club have rushed to reassure people they are offering a ‘safe haven’ for adult activities.

Lifting the lid on the club, owner Daniel Jemmett called the venue a little gem for Bolton. “You don’t have to be into the swinging scene," he said. "It’s just a good social night out.”

The customer, who did not wish to be named, says BDSM used to take place in an open space, but now claims one-on-one sexual acts are being provided in private rooms for an additional fee.

He added that some specialist services are now being sold for up to £90 per hour.

Owner Mr Jemmett said that was dominatrices renting rooms and running their own businesses, where no sexual activity takes place.

He says he fears the complaints are part of an anti-transgender hate campaign to ruin the club’s reputation.

The customer, who says he has used the club for two years, complained: “Originally it was that you would enter for a tenner and you had a cup of coffee or tea and there was some BDSM.

“Now they have these girls and you ask for extra services. I have been there when it has been done. It’s 15 minutes for £40 behind the closed door.

“If it’s a swingers club, everyone is in an open space and there is no extra cost.”

He added: “It’s giving BDSM a bad name, it’s just a bit of fun, but it’s stepped over the mark."

The club has been open since 2001, and was nominated for a National Transgender Award in the Trans Venue of the Year category by trans rights charity Sparkle in 2016.

The customer added: “It’s clearly understood, they use the term 'greedy girls'.

The owner said that 'greedy girls' sessions do take place, but the women involved are there by choice to engage in sexual activity and are not paid.

Mr Jemmett said: “The girls do not get paid anything, they come down of their own volition.”

He said the club is focused on being a safe place for transgender people and believes the accusations come after the departure of two disgruntled former employees.

He added: “I think [the former employees] are running a hate campaign.

“I’m concerned if people think it is a brothel because we would be inundated. It’s not about profit, it’s about people feeling safe.”