Telford council to discuss new rules over lap dancing clubs
Sunday 5th September 2010, 8:00PM BST.
Telford councillors are being urged to adopt new government legislation making it more difficult for lap dancing clubs to open in the town. Telford & Wrekin Council’s licensing committee will discuss the measures on Wednesday.
They could come into being from January next year.
Lap dancing clubs do not need a licence under the old legislation – but the new laws will bring such establishments in line with sex shops, which need to pass stringent tests before being allowed to open.
Under the laws the clubs would be classed as “sexual entertainment venues”.
At the moment objections to lap dancing clubs can only be made on grounds of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance or to protect children from harm.
But if the new laws are adopted in the borough, it will give licensing chiefs the power to block applications on the grounds they are out of character with the area, are unsuitable or because there are already too many.
A report to the meeting says: “These new measures took effect on April 6 in England and, if adopted by local authorities, give local people a greater say over where and how many lap dancing clubs may open and operate in their neighbourhoods.
“Whilst there is not a perceived problem with this type of premises in Telford & Wrekin, this report recommends the adoption of the new regulatory powers as a preventative measure.
“It gives local authorities more powers to control the number and location of lap dancing clubs and similar venues in their area.”
The meeting is at 6pm on Wednesday.
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What is the issue with these clubs that people are so afraid of? It’s all about supply and demand like any business.
Religion has been a harmful and poisonous influence for thousands of years, yet there is a church in nearly every street!
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Quite agree as long as they’re not contributing to public disorder. It’s business and if people want it, it should be supplied (as long as it’s not any man I’m dating lol!)
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