BY DAY Lucy deals with her daughters and the dog, but come nightfall she faces unexpected dancefloor dramas – including politicians looking for somewhere to wind down in the West End.
Former air stewardess and pageant queen Lucy, 53, has turned her life upside down to fend off over eager punters.
Lucy’s job as house mum is to protect the dancers. Credit: Rico Patel
Dancer Brooke knows Lucy is keeping an eye out Credit: Supplied
She revealed: “We get a lot of celebrities popping into the club and even politicians.
“One night we had a well known Tory peer visit us. He was dressed in a light blue suit, a raincoat and was carrying a briefcase, backpack and umbrella – the perfect gentleman!
“Our manager found him to be really very friendly, led him into the club and brought him to his friends’ table.
“He chatted away, had a couple of glasses of red wine, watched some of the pole dancers strut their stuff on the stage and left after an hour and a half or so on his own.
“It looked like he’d had a really enjoyable evening.”
But Lucy admits that not all visitors to Spearmint Rhino at The Windmill in Soho – now named Rhino Windmill – are not quite so easily pleased.
She added: “The other night, a very well-dressed gentleman, definitely a few years too young for me, spent most of the evening following me around the club trying to get my attention.
“Every time I turned around, there he was, carrying the scent of an expensive millionaire aftershave and looking like he’d stepped straight out of a private members’ bar.
“Eventually I stopped and said, “Can I help you?”
“He looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘I don’t care how much it costs, I don’t care how busy you are, can I please have a dance with you?’
“I politely declined, somewhere between flattered and alarmed. He then offered to buy me a drink, but before I could answer, chaos called.
“One of my girls came charging over in full panic mode, eyes wide, looking like she’d seen a ghost.
“My instincts kicked in immediately, and I marched her into the changing room to calm her down. ‘What is it?’ I asked. ‘Who’s died?’
“She gasped, ‘My brother’s just walked in’. She was due on stage in minutes, and apparently her brother had absolutely no idea she worked as a dancer.
“She shoved her phone in my face with a picture of him and started describing his outfit like we were on Crimewatch. Blue shirt, dark jeans, white trainers, smug face.”
“So off I went onto the club floor like some sort of undercover detective, scanning for this mystery brother.
“Meanwhile, Mr Millionaire was making another beeline for me, determined that tonight was somehow going to be our love story.
“I dodged him, went back to the changing room, and told my dancer to stay hidden.
“An hour later, her brother was still in the club, clearly having the time of his life and showing no signs of leaving. He’d settled in like he was paying rent so I told her to take the night off, she didn’t earn a penny.
“As for me, I turned around and there was Mr Millionaire again, still waiting patiently like I was the last bus home.”
Lucy keeps a watchful eye on the dancers Credit: Supplied
The iconic Soho Rhino Windmill has had a glitzy make over Credit: Supplied
Lucy’s high pressure new role as the club’s House Mum is to blend in with the crowd as she protects the club’s 70 dancers, who even include City lawyers making extra cash on the side.
It’s important that she looks as glamorous as the girls: “I’m usually in a backless dress and heels – more Monaco than matron,” she said.
“I’m out on the floor every night, mingling, keeping an eye on the girls to see if they need anything. If I see so much as a raised eyebrow from one of the dancers I’m there.
“To take your clothes off in front of 200 people takes confidence and I’m there to help the dancers feel like a million dollars.
“A couple are solicitors and have full-time jobs so can’t make the 6pm start and go for later shifts.
“Some are 18, but I hired a dancer the other week who is 37 and many of them are mothers with full-on family lives at home.”
“I sometimes feel like a manager when I’m giving them pep talks at a team meeting.
“This is an iconic venue with such a great history, that’s why it attracts super high spenders.
“The girls can make a fortune so it’s a competitive place to work. A confident performer can make upwards of £2,000-£3,000 a night.”
Now divorced, Lucy lives in west London with her daughters, Grace, 27 and KiKi, 18, and their dachshund, Windmill Wilbur.
She added: “At 21, I won Miss Brighton and was one of Richard Branson’s original Virgin airlines Angels – flying around the world was wild and I really made the most of it.
“I wasn’t a stranger to a rock and roll lifestyle – some of my crazier memories are of hanging out with Michael Hutchence.
Lucy was crowned Miss Brighton when she was 21 Credit: Supplied
Lucy travelled the world as an air stewardess Credit: Supplied
“My Dad was a songwriter, close to INXS, and Michael Hutchence took me and my little brother Jonny shopping. The band hung out with us at home and our school friends were so jealous.
“I’m also a trained florist and my last job was as a wedding planner. I did 70 back-to-back and if you can deal with stressed brides and their mums, believe me, you can do anything.
“I’ve always been a bit of a night owl from my days in cabin crew through to my party years. That changed when I became a single mum but with my new role at Rhino I’ve had to slip back into that rhythm.
A House Mum can have a scary reputation in the industry for being ruthless with the girls, but Lucy says she doesn’t work like that.
“Women should look after women,” she says. “My role is to look after every single one and to give them everything they need to go out and perform with confidence and a great big smile on their face.
“I want them to feel pretty and sexy before they go out.
“I’d been to strip clubs before but I was surprised at how much the industry has changed. Rules now protect the girls and make it a super safe working environment. “
Anyone visiting the club has to give ID for security checks and set up a tab and there is CCTV throughout.
Lucy’s job is to protect the dancers from unwanted admirers Credit: Supplied
Lucy with her daughters Grace and Kiki Credit: Supplied
“There’s a strict no-touch policy and security are hot on anyone who breaks the rules,” says Lucy.
“The girls know I’ve got spare beds at home so if those who have travelled from elsewhere want to crash at mine, they can.
“I see to it we’ve got everything the girls need, I bring chocolate, mints, water and ginger shots which are great, especially in winter months.
“It won’t surprise you to know it’s a male-dominated environment so as a House Mum I brought in small things that make a massive difference to creating a female space.
“Who wants to sit on a plastic chair if you’re naked?
“I really believe that we’re not a strip club unless we have girls who are happy and want to stay. I want them to feel acknowledged, special and proud the minute they step into the building.
“If they can go out with big smiles and earn a little more then it’s a job well done.
“I don’t tackle a drunk or angry girl on the night. I take them out for a in the cold light of day.
“There will always be a reason why a girl is upset and we can work it out together.
“I have a little office and Windmill Wilbur is always there for a cuddle.”
Lucy says that girls have to buy their own lingerie but she has a suitcase for emergencies.
“It’s my secret weapon,” she says. “I keep everything from a sewing kit and eyelashes, nail glue, and to lingerie, tuille and my sewing kit.
“Whatever they need I sort it for them – this week it’s been cough or checking new Louboutin shoes aren’t going to slip on the stage.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
