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Call for councils to have say over lap dancing clubs

Shane Manning
Shane Manning

Police chiefs have called for Scottish councils to be given the power to ban lap dancing clubs.

A response from the force to a Scottish Government consultation on licensing arrangements said local authorities should have control over the number of sexual entertainment venues in any given place – and that the limit should go as low as zero.

This would effectively give local councillors the ability to outlaw the establishments from their areas altogether.

Highland Council agrees with the police position, but has called for any new legislation to set out the matters that authorities should take into account when considering applications.

Councillors previously complained their hands were tied when they found no adequate grounds to refuse the first lap dancing club in Inverness.

The venue opened last year despite protests from women’s and religious groups.

The SNP government announced last year that it was consulting widely on the issue, and wanted to give local communities more of a say in the number and location of venues in their area.

The move is also designed to protect performers working in clubs, as well as customers and staff.

The Police Scotland submission to the consultation, which has now been published, argues that each council should produce a policy on sex entertainment venues.

Police also want to see personal licences for all performers in clubs, as well as for venues, saying this would protect those involved and deter human trafficking.

In a separate submission, the Highland Violence Against Women campaign group, said there was “no place” in Scottish society for sexual entertainment venues.

It adds: “We understand the term sexual entertainment to be a euphemism for commercial sexual exploitation.”

In December last year, bosses at Private Eyes, on Academy Street in Inverness, defended the club as it applied for a later extension to its operating hours.

Licensee Shane Manning said that there was a demand for adult entertainment in the city, and rejected claims that the women were being exploited.