Lap Dancing – Existing Clubs will not be Licensed as Cafes – Object
Lap Dancing – Existing Clubs will not be Licensed as Cafes
OBJECT Press Release Fri 12 Feb 2010
Today (Friday 12th February 2010), the Government announced its decision that local authorities will no longer be compelled to license any lap dancing club as a cafe but can instead consider them as a form of sex establishment.
Although it had already been announced that all new applicants for lap dancing venues could be considered under a sex establishment-style license there had been uncertainty as to whether the 300 or more existing venues would continue to operate under a mere cafe-style (or Premises) license.
However, following a 12 week consultation, the Government acted on the overwhelming support of local authorities, residents and human rights groups to ensure existing clubs would be brought under the new licensing regime This is in direct opposition to the industry-favoured notion of so-called ‘Grandfather rights’, which would have allowed existing clubs to continue to operate under a Premises license.
The new licensing will be applicable to all venues that host regular lap dancing and categorises them as sex establishments (‘Sexual Entertainment Venues’) – akin to a sex shop or sex cinema. It will allow local councils to listen to the views of local people and give far greater control over the number and location of venues. Most importantly, it will allow local councils to improve conditions within clubs through specific measures such as imposing ‘no touching rules’ or scrapping private booths.
Although the new licensing is voluntary, the strength of feeling exhibited by local authorities and local people – specifically commented on in this latest consultation – suggests that uptake will be widespread. Furthermore, local councils will be required to consult with local people if the new licensing regime is not taken up.
“This is a tremendous victory for women’s rights and for democracy. After a 2 year campaign by OBJECT and Fawcett it means that the harm associated with lap dancing both for women within clubs and in wider society is starting to be recognised. It represents a sea change in the tidal wave of ‘sex object culture’ that has engulfed us and in which an entire generation has now been groomed.” Dr Sasha Rakoff, Director OBJECT.
“It finally endorses the obvious fact that a woman for sale is a person for sale – not a hot drink in a paper cup.” Sabrina Mahfouz, former worker in the lap dancing industry.
The new licensing regime does not come into effect into April 2010 for new applicants and April 2011 for existing operators. OBJECT is seeking funding now to make sure local authorities are aware of their new powers and why they should be adopted, to work with businesses to stem ‘corporate sex industry culture’ and to support women who have left or wish to leave the industry.
