LGA Group wins more powers for local people to shape their neighbourhoods

12 February 2010

Changes to the way lap-dancing clubs are licensed are a victory for common sense and an important step in putting decision making back in the hands of local people, council leaders said today.

Following lobbying by the Local Government Association Group, the government has confirmed new rules which will allow councils to set a cap on the number of lap-dancing venues within a particular area, or insist on none at all. Councillors will also be able to consider a wider range of objections from local people, such as whether or not a club is in keeping with the local area, or too close to a school or place of worship.

Existing lap-dancing clubs in areas that adopt the new powers will have to apply for a new licence within the next six months and face closure if the council decides not to grant one.

The LGA has fought hard to give local people more of a say over the licensing of sexual entertainment clubs. A loophole in the 2003 Licensing Act put them in the same category as bars and cafes rather than allowing councils to consider the particular nature of the venue.

The new rules are expected to stem the tide of lap-dancing clubs in some suburban areas. The number across the country has more than doubled since 2004 to over 300.

Cllr Chris White, chair of the LGA's Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said:

"The changes to the licensing laws in 2003 were intended to give local people more of a say on how pubs and clubs are run in their area, but where lap-dancing venues are concerned councils and local councillors have often been prevented from acting on people's wishes.

"Parents' concerns about what their children might see during their walk home from school and neighbours' feelings about the reputation of their local area are very valid worries which councils wanted to be able to respond to.

"The existence of a large number of lap-dancing clubs in a small area does have consequences for people who live and work there. It is a victory for common sense that councils will now be able to take the existence of other such venues into account when considering new applications.

"This change in the rules surrounding the licensing of lap-dancing clubs is a boost to local democracy. It puts the power to shape an area back in the hands of the people who live there. "

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