31 August 2008
Calls for Tougher Lapdancing rules
UPFRONT, news, night online, COMMENTS
Two women's rights groups have called for tougher licensing rules for lap dancing clubs in a letter to the Times newspaper.
The letter by Object and the Fawcett society, signed by a number of local council members, argue that lapdancing venues outside of London should be classified as ‘sex encounter establishments’ in order to allow councils to exert greater control over their operation.
At present, clubs outside London are not required to fulfil any special conditions of licence to operate.
Director of lobby group Object Dr Sasha Rakoff urged ministers to "restore democracy to the licensing process and send out a powerful message that buying a lap dance is not the same as buying a cappuccino".
"Current licensing has acted as a floodgate to the industry whilst making it difficult for local authorities and local people to have a say in this process.
"The solution to this problem does not lie in tinkering with the Licensing Act 2003 or in planning controls. The solution lies in licensing lap dancing clubs for what they are: venues that provide visual entertainment for sexual stimulation - in other words, sex encounter establishments.”
Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe wrote to every council in England and Wales in June, asking for their view on current rules.
From: Night Online
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