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Notices and Press Releases

Fawcett and Object : Comment on announcement by Conservatives

The Fawcett Society and Object have welcomed the announcement by the Conservatives that local communities should be given a greater say over the presence of lapdance clubs in their area.

Dr Katherine Rake, Director of the Fawcett Society, said:

“Current licensing of lapdance clubs is woefully inadequate. A café and a lapdance club are clearly very different establishments, yet they are licensed in just same way. The only solution is to license lapdance clubs as Sex Encounter Establishments – as sex shops and sex cinemas are (3). This would give local authorities more power to step-up the regulation of lapdance clubs. Crucially, it would take power from lapdance club owners and place it firmly back into the hands of local communities.”

Anna van Heeswijk, Campaigns Officer of Object, said:

“This is a common sense issue which is why it has cross-party support. We are pleased that the Conservatives are calling for local communities to have the power to block lap dancing clubs and we urge them to back proposals for lap dancing clubs to be licensed as Sex Encounter Establishments to ensure that the voices of local people can be heard. This proposal for re-categorisation of lap dancing clubs is supported by a growing number of MPs, the Local Government Association which represents local authorities, and members of the public, many of whom have found their hands tied by the current licensing laws when trying to oppose the opening of lap dancing clubs in their local areas.”

The Fawcett Society and Object are campaigning in partnership for lapdance clubs to be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (LGMPA) 1982 as Sex Encounter Establishments. This is a category which currently applies in London and covers the licensing of sex shops and sex cinemas. Outside of London sex shops and sex cinemas are currently licensed as ‘Sex Establishments’. Therefore the campaign proposals would require the following amendment to the LGMPA:
a. Give authorities outside London the same power to regulate Sex Encounter Establishments as are enjoyed by London authorities
b. Remove the exemption for premises with licenses for regulated entertainment or late night refreshment