Lap-dancing clubs to be forced to apply for sex establishment licence: Home Office

Local authorities will be able to require all lap-dancing clubs in their area – including existing venues – to apply for a sex establishment licence from 6 April 2010 if they want to continue to operate lawfully, the government announced this week.

The move will allow local people for the first time to oppose an application for a club on the basis that it would be inappropriate for their area. Currently they can only object on the basis that a lap-dancing venue would infringe one of the four licensing objectives in the Licensing Act 2003.

Councils which adopt the new powers will also be able to impose a wider set of conditions on a licence and set a quota on the number of clubs in a particular area. The number of venues across the country has more than doubled since 2004 to more than 300.

Existing venues will have 12 months from the day the new provisions come into force locally in which to apply for a sex establishment licence.

Home Office minister Alan Campbell said: “Many people have told us they don’t want a lap-dancing club in their neighbourhood and feel that the existing legislation does not adequately take account of their concerns. These important reforms will give local authorities the powers they need to respond to the concerns of local people regarding the number and location of lap dancing clubs in their area.”

The Local Government Association, which has lobbied hard on the issue, said the changes were “a victory for common sense”.

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.

“The changes 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.”