The end of lap-dancing in Birmingham?

Sep 27 2009 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

IT was the city that was dubbed the lap-dancing capital of Britain.

But now saucy venues in Birmingham could be ‘stripped’ of their licences under tough new government guidelines.

The second city is host to almost a dozen lap-dancing businesses, including the Rocket Club, Spearmint Rhino, Legs Eleven and Medusa.

But their future has been thrown into doubt after the Policing and Crime Bill established a new Sex Establishment Licence. It states that all current and future venues will need to apply to their local council for a licence to operate.

And that could give previously powerless officials the first real chance to block or cut back on the numbers of the controversial clubs.

Councillor Nigel Dawkins, a member of Birmingham’s licensing committee, admitted he had never been a fan of lap-dancing and believes there are already too many in Birmingham.

“Let’s be honest, lap-dancing clubs are just a sophisticated name for strip clubs aren’t they?” he said. “I dislike them, but that’s just my personal view.

“I think that they exploit women sexually and I don’t like anything like that.

“I have two daughters and I wouldn’t like them to be involved.

“In my view, we are all equal but lap-dancing clubs do not portray that image.”

Under the new rules residents will be able to object to clubs in residential areas. And for the first time local authorities will also have the power to set a limit on the total number of licences granted.

There will be a transitional period of 12 months for clubs to apply for the licence, which comes into force in April 2011.

Existing and new venues can apply in the first six months, at the end of which local authorities will decide how many licences to grant.