Tributes paid to Alex Buchanan, owner of Lincoln's first pole dancing club

The man who opened Lincoln's first pole dancing club has died.

Tributes have been paid to Alex Buchanan, 69, who opened Cloud 9, in King's Arms Yard, off High Street, on March 14, 2004.

He was considered Lincoln's Peter Stringfellow having ran nightclubs in the city for more than 40 years.

He died at Lincoln County Hospital on March 1.

He had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and developed pneumonia.

He is survived by his wife Gwen, his ex-wife Pauline, his ex-partner Valerie Parker, four grandchildren with a fifth on the way and his children Laura Thomas, 33, and James Buchanan, 39.

His son, a civil servant from Washingborough, said: "Dad had a massive collection of friends – his hobby and his business was socialising.

"He was so energetic and full of beans.

"He was always looking ten steps ahead rather than the next couple of steps.

"We have had texts from people saying he was a true gent.

"Dad was born in Lincoln on April 1, 1943 and died a month before his 70th birthday.

"He wanted a party but he was too ill so the funeral service will be like his 70th birthday party a bit early."

Daughter Laura, who works for Anglian Water and lives in Richmond Drive, North Hykeham, said: "Dad was not one to sit down and rest.

"He was always so excited about the clubs.

"I came up with the name Cloud 9 for his club.

"Dad was so funny. No one has ever made me laugh like him.

"He would be sat in a group of people and they'd be in tears laughing.

"He was a bit of a wheeler-dealer and he enjoyed going down to Christie's in London to bid at auctions."

It all began for Mr Buchanan, of Farrington Crescent, off Skellingthorpe Road, with The New Penny nightclub, at the top of High Street, in 1971.

AJ's, also in High Street, followed in the mid-1970s.

Mr Buchanan took over The City Club in the mid-1980s which he would later transform into Cloud 9, never believing the city authorities would agree.

Two years ago, Mr Buchanan announced his retirement.

But until recently, even with his health worsening, he still worked three nights a week until 5am at the pole dancing club.

He previously told the Echo: "Looking back on my career running nightclubs, I would say it's been an eye-opener, never a dull moment."

During his working life he also ran a gallery in Steep Hill, Roundabout Antique & Selling Centre, in Burton Road, and Canwick Road Snooker Club.

His widow Gwen said: "I knew him for about 15 years.

"I started off helping him with his clubs and we opened Cloud 9 together.

"We have had a lovely life. Get up and go was his motto. He was a great guy who will be sorely missed."

All are welcome to attend the funeral service at Lincoln Crematorium at 10.30am on Tuesday, March 12.