UK Sex Sells News

Off with their bollocks!... Any man found enjoying a sex life will be liable to the 'appropriate' summary penalty

Lap dancing clubs may be closed if they are located too near supposedly inappropriate sites such as schools, under transitional powers contained in the policing and crime bill published yesterday.

On lap dancing, the introduction of transitional powers to threaten existing lap dancing clubs goes further than originally billed. The man hating home secretary, Jacqui Smith, has already indicated that she expects the legislation to curb the growth in the number of lap dancing clubs, which has doubled to 300 over the last four years.

But Coaker indicated that the transitional powers contained in the bill would give local authorities the power to refuse to renew the licences of existing clubs if there are local objections that they are sited inappropriately.

Despite the recent protests of the lap dancing industry that what goes on in their clubs is not sexually stimulating , the legislation proposes to categorise lap dancing clubs as sex encounter establishments and remove them from the existing 2003 entertainment licensing regime, which classed them along with bars and pubs. A sex encounter venue is defined as one in which relevant entertainment is provided before a live audience for the financial gain of the organiser. An audience can consist of only one person.

The effect will be to allow local authorities to take far more account of the views of nutters in granting new licences and to ban the opening of further clubs by declaring that a particular town or city centre has reached saturation point .

Rules that allow jobcentres to advertise sex related opportunities are being reviewed by the Government, Commons Leader Harriet Hatemen said today.

Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell is looking into guidelines that allowed more than 350 sex industry jobs to be advertised in Jobcentre Plus offices across the country last year.

Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said jobs included topless semi-nude bar staff and nude cleaners.

During exchanges on future Commons business, May told MPs of Harman's quest to stop local newspapers advertising the sex trade.

She told Harman: Pity you can't persuade the Work and Pensions Secretary to join your campaign. A new report shows that Jobcentre Plus advertised 351 vacancies in the adult entertainment industry last year, including adverts for topless semi-nude bar staff and nude cleaners.

Two jobseekers complained - they were asked to perform sexual services after contacting an employer about a vacancy advertised at Jobcentre Plus.

May demanded an end to this hypocrisy within Government.

Harman, who is also Women's Minister, said: I absolutely agree with you that there is no way that job centres should be used as a place for advertising jobs for sexual services, for lap dancing, for sex encounter establishments. I raised this with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions - he is reviewing the situation. We don't want any of those sorts of jobs in our jobcentres.

Banks join benefit cheats, lap-dancing clubs and drinkers at the top of a list of targets for legislative action to be unveiled today.

Gordon Brown has made unfairness to men the theme of the second Queen's Speech of his premiership.

Companies will be free to discriminate in favour of women and black job candidates under a proposed Inequality Bill. The move allows employers to give preferential treatment as long as applicants are equally qualified. It is designed to boost the proportion of female and ethnic staff, as well as thrusting more of them into senior posts.

Measures to toughen laws against benefit fraud, ban alcohol promotions and reclassify lap-dancing clubs as sex encounter establishments were trailed yesterday.

Plans by Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, for a new Bill of Rights have been shelved.

The Prime Minister said in a document previewing the Queen's Speech yesterday. So as Government takes action, we expect people to play their part in return, with clear consequences for those who do not.

The speech will also announce a Crime Bill changing prostitution and drink laws. There will be proposals to criminalise men who pay for sex with trafficked women. The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, has made clear the bill would include a strict liability offence of paying for sex with a trafficked or pimped woman which means that ignorance will be no defence for those accused. The Conservatives have already indicated they are likely to oppose this, making tackling prostitution one of the more unlikely flashpoints in politics over the coming months. [Saying that I didn't notice the Paying for sex provision in any of the Home Office press releases accompanying the Queen's Speech.]

Pbr on the Melon Farmer's forum notes the absence of a Bill to prohibit non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse ... perhaps the first bit of good news in government policy for quite a while now.

Performers

• Lifetime Achievement Award - marino
• Best Female Actress – Keisha Kane
• Best Male Actor – Jason Romer
• Daily Sport Actress of the Year – Rennee Richards
• Best Supporting Actress – Isabelle Ice
• Best Female Newcomer  MICHELLE MOIST
• Best Male Newcomer – John Janes
• Female Performer of the year ( BGAFD Award )- Cate Harrington
• Best Female Performer in an Amateur Film – Geogina Baille
• Most Outrageous Female Performance – Daisy rock
• Best Solo scene by a female performer – Leigh Logan
• Transexual performer of the Year – Joanna Jet
• Butter would melt award – Katie Price (Jordan)

Productions

• Best Film- Satanic Slut 2 – Salvation Films
• Best Director – Anna Span – do the business
• Best Softcore Production -Petra Joy – sensual seduction
• Best Lighting – Petra Joy – Sensual seduction
• Best Editing – Pumpkin Films -get your rocks off
• Best DVD Authoring – Harmony - ladies of pleasure
• Best Packaging – pumpkin films -busty brits abroad
• Best Original Soundtrack – spanking tomato - road trip 18 esher
• Best script -wicked films – st teeny cums

TV + Internet

• Pay per view channel of the year – Television X
• Free to view channel of the year – Bang Babes
• Best TV presenter of the year – Nikki Lee
• Best Online Scene – Terry stevens for real couples
• Best online FILM – Strap on sex tape – strictly broadband
• Best OnLine Female actress – Cathy Barry
• Best OnLine Male Actor – Pascel white
• Best OnLine Production Company – killagram ...nicklass were a close second
• Best Online Paysite - strictly broadband.

Nominations have been published for the Erotic Trade Only Awards.

As one might expect, most awards are for adult industry traders but here are the nominations that may be of interest to consumers.

Newcastle council faced an angry nutter backlash after ruling out objections to shows featuring scantily clad dancers in a shower cubicle.

The row is over a decision to allow plans to install a shower booth at the recently licensed Purple Door lap dancing bar in Newcastle without a hearing in front of the city council'
s licensing sub committee.

The council received 17 objections, but after taking legal advice, officers have ruled them all invalid under Government licensing regulations because none live or work in the immediate vicinity.

The Purple Door, in Neville Street opposite Newcastle Central Station, was granted a licence in January and later applied for a variation allowing it to install a shower room for dancers to entertain customers. There were no objections to the original application for a premises licence by Lookchart Ltd, a subsidiary of the Tyneside-based Absolute Leisure chain.

One objector to the shower booth was the Newcastle-based Christian Institute which said it was a mistake to grant a licence so close to the station, a children'
s nursery, family attractions and St Mary'
s Cathedral. Deputy director Simon Calvert argued performances in the shower booth would increase the risk of men becoming a nuisance when they leave the premises.

He said: The council is obliged to take into account the views of people who are directly affected and this place is opposite Central Station so anybody who uses the station can be affected. It shows shocking disregard for the views of the electorate. It is very worrying to suggest that unless people live next door they have no right to object.'


Coun Anita Lower, Liberal Democrat, executive member for regulation on Newcastle Council, said: This affects people across the city and they should have a right to make representations. Opposition Labour leader, Coun Nick Forbes, said: People'
s objections need to be heard. The council needs to listen to the views of the community.

A plan to turn a pub into a strip joint was refused in front of a packed town hall chamber this week.

The owners of Satchmo's wanted to host lap dancing at the venue in Stoke Newington Road - but the plans were rejected by Hackney Council's licensing committee.

Up to 100 nutters filled the council chamber to show the strength of feeling against the plans. Campaigner Amanda Frayne said residents and businesses were hugely relieved. An overwhelming majority of people have always believed that this proposal is utterly inappropriate for the area.

Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, Diane Abbott and Hackney mayor Jules Pipe said the plans were inappropriate for a residential area.

The pub manager Scott Davis said: The club wants to re-invent itself as a modern and stylish cocktail bar offering adult entertainment and exclusive DJs.

Satchmo's has 21 days to appeal.

I am shortly to speak at the UK Network of Sex Worker's Conference which is focusing on “Good Practice”. I thought what better form of good practice than to ask the clients what they would like. I am focusing on brothels because they are the ideal for selling sex.
I am thus asking you to send me your wishes.

Let me give you some background. I started my survey with a population of disabled people, before opening it up to the public.

A TV documentary was made by Asta Philpot for the BBC, to bring attention to the fact that some disabled people need to visit brothels, and he is continuing his campaign by approaching Larry Flint in America, to support his cause.

Encouraged by the impact of our demonstration, and the way members of the House of Lords are recognising the sexual needs of disabled people, I have decided to ask everybody I can reach, precisely what they would really like to have provided for them personally, in a brothel (should they wish).

The Costa Brava brothel in Asta's programme was far from perfect. For a start, they did not cater to women. The sex workers, sweet as they were, looked like lap dancers, young and cosmetically enhanced. The décor was grim: not sexy or glamorous. The brothel also had a lot going for it: a good sexual service, it provided hoists for disabled people to get onto the beds, was clean and well-run and, perhaps best of all, it operated openly, without stigma – a local guy had come up to Asta in a bar and recommended he pop along.

So, please let me know what you would like, from a personal point of view, and any special needs dictated by your personal problems, disability and impairments.

Bear in mind, brothels can cater to many different needs – not just sex. They can be seats (or beds, to be more precise) of learning, anxiety reduction, confidence building, off-loading guilt, shame, sadness and confusion, experimentation, cuddling, touching and lying in bed with someone. They can also be places where you can get beaten shitless, tied up, humiliated, or try a little spanking or torment, cross-dressing, see women in polo-neck jumpers, women popping balloons, and experience your own personal fetish. They can provide sex parties, straight sex, gay sex, and whatever your fantasy dictates. That is why they are rather good.

My dream brothel would be a place where all pleasures are catered for, offering dinner, drinks, dancing, gambling, erotic shows, treatment rooms, a Tantric Temple, chill-out rooms and a cinema as well as bedrooms, a dungeon, fetish rooms. This mix would hopefully take away the stigma and make the brothel acceptable in polite society.

I would base my dream brothel along the lines of a top hotel, as these are the only places on earth where both sex workers and disabled people are treated as respectfully as other guests. Top hotels are very strict about this. Their staff never know when royalty are coming in to have a laugh or politicians are just taking the weight off their feet!

Staff would be trained to communicate with deaf and deaf-blind clients, as well as spinal injured and other disabled people.

I am inspired by the fact that jazz music came out of the brothels of New Orleans and Tango came from the brothels of Argentina. Both forms of music were fusion music, designed to fire people up. Brothels can, if left to run in the spirit of bon amie rather than fear and shame, be centres of cultural influence.

I've never been one to ask for much, have I? But while the topic is being debated on the political agenda, let's state what we want.

Please send me your requests. I will put everything into a document, display it on-line and present it at the conference I'
m speaking at in early June.

Madame Cynthia Payne can open the first brothel, and bring back her luncheon voucher scheme for disabled and pensioners.

Send to me at mail@sfc.org.uk preferably including any details of your personal needs, disabilities and impairments, so I can present your case accordingly.

A group representing Britain's lap-dancing industry will officially launch today with an unexpected demand for the government: it wants stricter licensing rules.

The Lap Dancing Association (LDA), which includes the UK's largest lap-dancing chains, wants local authorities, which license the venues, to be given powers to ensure clubs abide by a code of conduct which addresses issues of minimum standards of public decency and morality which are not required by existing laws. Some members of the LDA will also acknowledge concerns about evidence of prostitution at some clubs.

The creation of the LDA will put ministers in the awkward position of having to defend liberal licensing laws brought in under their 2003 Licensing Act. On licensing, the industry will ask ministers to amend rules so that "adult entertainment" establishments are considered separately from other premises. Under existing rules, lap-dancing venues have the same "one size fits all" licence used by cafes and theatres.

The LDA hopes its "compromise" proposals will see off calls from some MPs for wholesale change in the licensing laws to recategorise lap-dancing venues as "sexual encounter" establishments.

Nutters say an increasing number of MPs are joining their fight to give local authorities greater power over lap-dancing clubs.

Sandrine Leveque, a spokeswoman for the nutters of Object, said efforts were under way to build support for a 10-Minute Rule Bill to be introduced by the Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods at the end of May. She said the campaign had the backing of about 35 MPs, a third of the number they are hoping to attract: We have received some really good feedback from local authorities since we drew attention to the loophole. This is a cross-party issue and one which affects men and women of all walks of life. We are hoping to gain support from at least 100 MPs.

An early day motion by Lynda Waltho, MP for Stourbridge, which supports empowering councils to license venues as sex encounter establishments, has gathered 26 signatures from predominantly Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs over the past four days.

Since the first mainstream club, For Your Eyes Only, opened 13 years ago, the number of clubs countrywide has risen to 300, more than doubling in the past four years. Five local authorities which have attempted to block new establishments have been defeated on appeal.

The campaigners want to categorise the clubs as sex encounter establishments, giving local authorities the same power over them as they do with sex shops and cinemas. They are calling for a change in the law to give councils the right to reject applications for pole-dancing venues.

The Lap Dancing Association (LDA) retorted this week that, while it was concerned about the practices of irresponsible operations and potential links with prostitution, classifying clubs as sex encounter establishments would only drive such operators underground. It urged the campaign group to work with it to improve standards, claiming that much of the literature on the subject was inaccurate and sensationalist.

A trade association representing lap dancing clubs has been launched to distance the industry from its sleazy image of drugs and prostitution.

The Lap Dancing Association (LDA) will represent lap, table and pole dancing club operators and provide the sector with a unified voice.

Members of the association include chains such as For Your Eyes Only and Spearmint Rhino as well as independent outlets across the UK.

Simon Warr, president of Spearmint Rhino and chairman of the LDA, said: The establishment of a national trade body is a sign that the sector has come of age. Our industry is made up of many hundreds of independent operators and to date they have lacked a unified voice and forum for sharing best practice. The LDA now provides that.

The LDA also wants to develop minimum standards of best commercial practice through the promotion of a Code of Practice.

Warr added: Operating in accordance with the code will demonstrate a high level of professionalism and show that clubs recognise their responsibility towards their staff, dancers, customers and local community. We want to distance our industry from the sleazy image of drugs and prostitution

Fifteen people arrested as part of an operation targeting brothels operating via the internet in central London are still being questioned by police. The arrests were made when more than 100 officers searched 19 premises.

Police suspect that those arrested are part of a criminal network involved in prostitution and people-trafficking. It is alleged the network operates by trafficking women from abroad, the majority from Thailand, and then coercing them to work as prostitutes.

Up to 110 officers are involved in Operation Gib, led by the Metropolitan Police with support from Surrey Constabulary and Norfolk Constabulary.

Police believe criminals have been using an internet escort agency as a front for prostitution. It is believed that the network, which police have been monitoring for about four months, has been running the women on their own but also acting on behalf of other pimps selling on their women, police have said.

Police said they hoped to rescue an estimated 60 foreign women who they believe had been forced into prostitution. 30 women had been taken to a specialist centre staffed with interpreters, health workers and officers trained in sexual offences interview techniques.

Ch Supt Ian Dyson from the Metropolitan Police said: What we can say is the exploitation takes a variety of forms and while there may be no evidence that might emerge of physical violence being used, what is clear, and we are certain of, is that there's been a significant financial exploitation of all the women involved in this case.

A Met spokesman said three men aged 31, 32, and 25 and one women aged 35 had been arrested on suspicion of trafficking into and within the UK, controlling prostitution for gain and money laundering offences. Another 11 people were arrested at addresses in central London in connection with trafficking within the UK and controlling prostitution.

Update: Six Thais Arrested

22nd April 2008

Five men and four women have been charged with people trafficking offences, police said. At least six are Thai nationals. All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women within the UK for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to control prostitution and money laundering.

Update: Extradition

23rd April 2008

Thailand will seek the extradition of Thais arrested in Britain for alleged involvement in human trafficking-related offences, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tarit Charungvat. He said the Thai embassy in London is coordinating with British police to verify the nationalities of the 15 arrested people who are believed to be Thai.

27 - 28 July at the NEC, Birmingham

The ETO Show is the UK's only dedicated adult industry event. Bringing together manufacturers and distributors from all sides of the industry - including film, lingerie, toys and consumables - with all the key trade buyers, the ETO Show is free to attend for trade professionals.

Taking place on the evening of the first day of the ETO Show, the black tie Awards Dinner has become a must-attend event for networking with the leading players of the adult industry. The awards are voted for by readers of ETO and have become known as the most prestigious in the industry.

Nutters are launching a mean minded campaign to get licensing laws changed to give local councils more option to ban lap dancing.

Object are launching a campaign on Tuesday April 22nd, 12-1pm at the House of Commons, London followed at 1-3.30pm by protest in Parliament Square.

The campaign calls for lap dancing clubs to be recognised as part of the commercial sex industry and licensed as Sex Encounter Establishments, rather than in the same way as pubs, cafes or karaoke nights as they currently are.

Speakers at the launch will include:

• Baroness Gould
• Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods MP
• Gill Mitchell Brighton and Hove City Councillor,
• Julie Bindel researcher and journalist
• Kat Banyard Fawcett Society
• Professor Marion Roberts Westminster University

Nutters have vowed to fight on in their battle to stop a lap-dancing club in Durham.

South Tyneside-based Vimac Leisure has appealed to the High Court over a decision by magistrates to block its application for a lap-dancing licence for The Loft club in North Road Durham.

Nutters living close to the club have now submitted their evidence against the plans and have vowed to fight until we reach the final tape , even though they could face a massive legal bill if they lose.

Resident Kirsty Thomas said a High Court ruling on the Vimac Leisure appeal could have implications for lap- dancing clubs across Britain: Durham was the first case where residents successfully opposed a licence, yet the 2003 Licensing Act was supposed to consider the wishes of the public. We have submitted our arguments to the High Court, which will decide whether they think Vimac has any grounds for appeal.

Durham City Council's licensing committee initially granted Vimac a licence last August but residents, supported by Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, successfully appealed against the decision.

Plans to open a pole dancing club in Ayr are set to go before council planners for the fourth time.

Businessman Forbes Robertson wants to offer the adult entertainment at his Millionayr club in River Street.

His plans have already been knocked back by council's licensing board twice before in July last year and January this year. And the entrepreneur withdrew his application from another meeting because he felt he wouldn't get a fair hearing.

Robertson wants to stage one off cabaret events with food, casino games and pole and burlesque dancers. I'm trying to offer something a bit different in the town, maybe its not everybody cup of tea but then they don't need to go.

Last time board chairman Douglas Campbell told him the application fell short of council guidelines. And the final say will rest with councillors on Thursday April 17.

Er... Surely they don't mean a right tit?

Sexism is said to be rife in the City and tough action is required to stamp out discrimination against women, the Fawcett Society warns today. The group campaigns for women's rights and is concentrating on sexual harassment at work.

Kat Banyard, campaigns director highlights the use of lap dancing clubs for corporate entertainment, a practice that excludes many women who feel uncomfortable visiting these clubs with clients.

The society wants the licensing regime to be changed with lap dancing clubs treated as sex establishments rather than pubs and clubs so local authorities can place greater restrictions on them.

If you've got male colleagues entertaining at a lap dancing club, it puts women in a very difficult position, she said.

Worthing's self-appointed moral guardian Steve Stevens forced the council's licensing sub-committee to close its meeting to the public after shouting out from the public gallery. Stevens was escorted from the meeting by two security guards.

The 89-year-old war veteran and nutter submitted a 600 signature petition to the council against plans for erotic dancing at the Liquid Lounge in Chatsworth Road.

The prospect of fully-nude men and women had helped fuel nutters, but the club's general manager James Lanz told the Herald: One of the conditions we have agreed does state that genitalia will be covered at all times.

Sussex Police withdrew its representation to the committee after the club agreed to several conditions.

• No audience participation, and no physical contact between customers and the dancer during or after the performance.
• No person under 18 be allowed on the premises while striptease/lap dancing is taking place, and clear warning notices be displayed at entrances.
• All dancers/performers must be aged at least 18 and legally entitled to work at the club.
• That performances of pole dancing/lap dancing end by 3.30am.

Objections to the application included a letter from Mark Weeden, pastor at The Worthing Tabernacle who ludicrously belittles his fellow man: Married men stirred up in this way are more likely to batter their wives, push them to 'perform' as the strippers did, or to commit adultery. Allowing lap-dancing will mean an increase in prostitution, whether with the dancers themselves, or prostitutes in surrounding areas.

Update: Open

Liquid Lounge opened on 1st July 2008

If ever you hear of British people  enjoying themselves, let us know, and we will put a stop to it

The politician in charge of Britain's licensing regime has announced he will review legislation which has opened the door to a string of fully nude lap-dancing clubs in Brighton and Hove.

Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister responsible for licensing, told parliament he was concerned about the situation in the city and promised to consult with ministerial colleagues over a permanent change to the law.

He made the comments following a meeting with Hove MP Celia Barlow and city councillor Gill Mitchell to discuss supposed problems with the licensing act which has left nutters of Brighton and Hove City Council virtually powerless to stop clubs opening.

He said: We continue to review what can be done. We have made the right move in delegating the matter to local government, because it is right that local councillors and local government have the right to determine what goes on in their area. It is important that we look at the planning process and its objectives, and I am particularly concerned to hear that in Brighton, six lap-dancing clubs have been established in a very short time.

That problem will start to spread throughout the country, so I appreciate my honourable friend raising the matter. I will be happy to meet colleagues again to consider what can be done to ensure that [SOME!] local people get what they want in their local area.

Since the new licensing regime was introduced in November 2005, six clubs have been granted licenses for fully-nude dancing, although only four currently put on lap-dancing. Until that point only two operated in the city and nudity was not allowed.

Spearmint Rhino added to its international empire by opening the first fully nude club on East Street last year. The licence was approved by magistrates on appeal, overturning the council's initial rejection. Magistrates ruled that police could not establish the link between strip clubs and disorder and threw out the council's decision not to grant the East Street venue a licence.

Ms Barlow and the mean minded David Lepper, MP for Brighton Pavilion, both raised the supposed problem during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday.

She said: I am extremely encouraged by the minister's announcement. The current licensing act is wholly ineffective when it comes to regulating lap dancing clubs. These clubs have sprung up in the hearts of our communities, and I also welcome the announcement to contact local authorities over what more can be done under the current law to prevent these clubs from opening.

A whole town will "burn in hell" if it allows lap dancing at a nightclub according to veteran anti-porn nutter Steve Stevens, 89. He said Worthing will be eternally damned if it allows the Liquid Lounge nightclub to put on nude and semi-nude shows.

And the town's brush with Beelzebub could come sooner rather than later, with a committee of politicians due to decide whether to give the go-ahead to the plan later this month.

The pensioner has now started a petition against the club's plans and says he has secured more than 300 signatures on it.

Liquid Lounge, which has run regular club nights at its four room venue for years, wants to put on the lap dancing and stripping shows for members only.

General manager James Lanz said the nights would be tasteful and fully policed by security staff. He said: We are aiming at the Adonis cabaret-style show for ladies and tasteful nude and semi-nude dancers for men. This has worked very well, trouble-free, in many other towns. This will, of course, be run very strictly for members only and for over-18s, or possibly over-21s.

The club has applied to run the lap dancing nights in its ground floor Le Chic room. It would be Worthing's first ever lap dancing club.

Sussex Police officers have said they would only be able to object if it was shown that disorder could result from the lap dancing nights. But licensing officer PC Mike Webb added that the force was not a "moral guardian" of the town.

Worthing Borough Council's licensing committee is due to decide whether to allow the lap dancing at a meeting on March 27.

A Blackpool lap-dancing club has been fined £14,000 after admitting breaching its licence by allowing supposedly indecent acts between performers.

One dancer who performed at Wildcats on Clifton Street told a police officer that there were "no limits" to what went on.

Blackpool Magistrates Court was told that when police visited the club they saw extensive physical touching between two female dancers, one of whom they later talked to.

Vicki Cartmell, prosecuting on behalf of Blackpool Council, said the dancer told an officer: No, there are no limits about what we can do, we can do what we want.

The club's owner Provocative Leisure of King Street, Leeds, admitted the offence. It was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay £415 costs.

Solicitor Tracy Langfield said: The club faces the suspension of its licence for four weeks and that could lose £40,000 in revenue and affect the jobs of 40 dancers and 13 door and bar staff. This club has a new manager and the police and council say there are no problems now.

A council licensing panel suspended the venue's licence for four weeks last month but it has appealed meaning it can remain open until the appeal is decided.

Nude dancers could be introduced at an East Devon nightclub if a licensing application for a strip bar gets the go-ahead.

The Q Club in Manchester Street, Exmouth, has applied for music and alcohol licences for a VIP lounge, where entertainment would include lap dancing, pole dancing and striptease.

The news has received mixed reactions from residents but the town's Mayor Joy Whipps was appalled at the idea.

Conditions will require CCTV to be installed and dictate that performers must be older than 18 and there shall be no physical contact with customers.

Ms Whipps said the club could encourage promiscuity and for people to look upon women as sex objects: It is encouraging promiscuous behaviour which I can't support. I want Exmouth to be seen as a quality place to live and visit. It creates a recreational approach to sex which is wrong and we should be respecting young women and not exploiting them as sex objects.

Cllr Whipps continued: I have looked through the application which they have submitted and they have quite a few conditions such as to provide protection of performers and to stop the corruption of young people.

But I don't think it is good for the reputation of the town.

Submit support or opposition with either East Devon District Council, the police, trading standards or environmental health before the March 13 deadline.

Update: Q on Cue

28th April 2008

Exmouth's first-ever strip bar will open after The Q Club was this week given the go-ahead to stage lap dancing and 'other adult entertainment'.

The Q Club, in Manchester Street, was given the licence by district councillors - despite pleas from residents and businesses.

It entitles licence holders Paul and Kimberly Kortland to host lap dancing, pole dancing and striptease within a VIP lounge.

The Kortlands have imposed their own conditions, including CCTV, a midnight licence, door staff, and a register of addresses for all members - and a minimum age of dancers of 18.

Plans to create Shrewsbury’s first lap dancing club have been ditched after bosses behind the scheme decided to put the site up for sale.

Gemini Games Ltd, based in Telford, won a planning appeal in December to turn the upper two floors of Central Hall, in Castle Gates, into an exotic dancing club featuring semi-naked, nude pole and lap dances.

The bottom floor has planning permission for a cafe or restaurant. But the owners have now given up on the idea and will instead offer the property for sale.

The decision was today welcomed by Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski. He said: I am absolutely delighted that this company will not be proceeding with this. We have won this one because it’s just not on, frankly, having a lap dancing club in Shrewsbury.

Police have welcomed Torbay Council's decision to reject plans for a lap dancing club.

The licence variation would have allowed lap dancing and striptease entertainment provided by male or female artists until 4am every day. But the council turned down Kingswood Property Management's application for a variation of licence at Vaults Restaurant on Victoria Parade, Torquay.

Police said the late-night licence would contribute to crime and disorder in an area of Torquay known for its high incidents of trouble.

However, at yesterday's meeting of the council's licensing sub-committee, Kingswood Property Management said the application met all the licensing objectives laid out by council officers.

Included in the licence application were regulations stating that 'there would be no physical contact between performers and customers, except for the placing of a tip in the garter (females) or armband (males)'.

Speaking on Kingswood Property Management's behalf, solicitor Rob Newman said: Lap dancing is a form of performance dance. There are some people who might object, but this committee here isn't dealing with morals.

The operators operate good premises. There's no reason why a late-night licence should lead to crime and disorder. This isn't intended to be a large operation. The application is for a maximum of 150 people, but in reality my client is looking at a maximum of 100 - and they won't all be there at the same time. Customers will be controlled going in, while they're in there and when they are going out. This will be one of the most controlled places in Torbay.

The application was debated for more than two hours before councillors finally decided to refuse the licence application.

Brett Sinclair, managing director for Kingswood Property Management, said there was a chance he would appeal against the decision.

Police have slammed plans for a new lap dancing bar on Torquay harbourside, supposedly fearing it will stretch resources and encourage anti-social behaviour in the drinking hotspot.

The new owner of Vaults restaurant on Victoria Parade has applied to vary its premises licence to allow lap dancing and striptease entertainment provided by male or female artists until 4am every day.

He pledges it will be a classy establishment, decorated and run in the same manner as Play nightclub which he also owns and which has attracted praise from the authorities.

The police have objected to the Vaults application, predicting it will impact on crime and disorder. Chief Supt Jo Tennant, commander of the Devon Basic Command Unit, said research 'clearly' indicates a substantial reduction in anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder, particularly assaults, damage and drunkenness around the pubs and clubs at that end of town.

Tennant added: I have great concerns that should this later licence be permitted, the success achieved to date will be reversed, with increased crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area, which in turn would stretch police resources and affect policing in other parts of Torbay.

The opening of the lap dancing venue would also undermine the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm, she said.

Mr Ireland, who bought the restaurant a few months ago, successfully applied for a new licence and is now seeking to introduce live music and adult entertainment. Ireland said they have consulted with all authorities before lodging the new application, which he says meets all the licensing objectives. He said a strict set of rules will be on display at tables and on the door, to coincide with strict entry, age and drink policies.

Three members of the public have written letters of objection to the council. One said Play has so far been excellent with no trouble at all to my knowledge. However, a second club with dancers would only degrade this part of the town. I believe we should be cleaning up Torbay with a welcoming family environment, not strippers.

The council's Environmental Protection team have suggested conditions to control the noise levels. A number of controls have been put forward by the Safeguarding Unit to protect children from harm.

Blackpool's massage parlours are the latest target in a drive to rid the resort of fun.

Police and trading standards officers targeted five parlours, two of which have been closed, after reports they were being used as brothels.

The Gazette understands two foreign nationals were among the suspected call girls working there. No suggestion of 'trafficking' though otherwise it would be reported big time.

The venues targeted were in Caunce Street and Church Street in the town centre.

Tim Coglan, head of SubStandards at Blackpool Council, said: This was an operation between ourselves and the police, targeting all forms of illegality in the massage parlour sector.

"These were massage parlours reported to be a front for prostitution. There were also other related alleged offences in connection with book-keeping, smoking on premises and health and safety breaches.

As a result investigations are ongoing with a view to instigating proceedings. Two premises have had health and safety prohibition notices issued and have been closed down and a number voluntarily closed.

Up to four girls were found to be selling sex at some of the premises in breach of strict regulations. Currently only one prostitute can legally offer paid sex.

The health and safety breaches were due to electrical faults.

Blackpool Council leader, Coun Peter Callow, said the crackdown was the latest stage of the council's campaign to clean up the town. He said: These massage parlours have been operating for a long time on the main thoroughfare with brightly lit signs, and people find this offensive.

A prospective MP has called for the public to oppose plans for a lap dancing club at a prominent site overlooking the River Tees.

An application has been made for a licence at the Moby Grape pub by Stockton's Riverside.

Alex Cunningham, nutter and prospective Labour parliamentary candidate for Stockton North, said: Millions of pounds have been and are being invested in our town centre, Riverside and Cultural Quarter which are attracting families, couples and young people from all over the place keen to visit the area and enjoy themselves here. Moral arguments apart, and there are plenty to oppose this application, The Moby Grape has one of Stockton's prime locations.

The local authority and developers have created one of the most attractive developed areas in the Tees Valley and no-one I have spoken to no-one who would support the opening of such a place. It can only be damaging to the area and has the potential of driving future investment away.

He said the pub was applying to open from 11am to 4am every day of the week. Cunningham added: I hope that local people, businesses and other organisations will join forces to oppose this proposal and ensure it never gets beyond the application stage.

Blackpool's Young People's Council were angry that an adult entertainment venue was set to launch in the basement of the Clifton Hotel, which is currently being revamped.

But now the owners of the historic building, which is being transformed into bars and a nightclub, have decided to ditch the plan for a lap-dancing attraction.

Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism on Blackpool Council, said: I'm delighted with this outcome because this is the message we're wanting to send out that Blackpool is changing. We're changing our profile and want to change the profile of our visitors.

Gary Hunt, chief operating officer at the Barnsley-based Brook Group, which owns
the Clifton, said the company wanted to work with Blackpool to boost its image.

He said: As part of the ongoing discussions with the senior council officials, we have considered our proposals to open a lap dancing bar within a basement area to the rear of the Clifton Hotel.

Although planning and licensing has been approved, the council have highlighted that their vision for Blackpool was to try to improve its image and in line with this they didn't believe that the lap-dancing proposal was ideal for such a grand scheme.

We've therefore considered their views and eventually taken the decision to surrender the lap-dancing consent to try to assist with the council's vision. The regeneration of Blackpool as a whole is a very important factor for us and our aim is to try to assist as much as possible.

A blackpool lap-dancing club could be shut down amid exaggerated allegations of live sex shows being performed.

Wildcats, in Clifton Street, is set to be questioned by the council on February 4 after being accused of breaching its licence by allowing contact between customers and dancers.

CCTV images from the club, formerly known as Too Hot To Handle, show two female dancers performing a sexy show watched by two men.

Wildcats is alleged to have broken the terms of its licence by offering lap-dancing without CCTV cameras covering the main performance areas. Entertainment is said to have taken place in private booths, where physical contact was observed between performers and customers.

The club is also alleged to have breached its licence by allowing an offensive billboard sign, advertising the premises, to be paraded through the town centre.

Among the penalties the club could face is the possibility of having its licence revoked or suspended.

Blackpool Council's licensing committee voted in favour of repressive new restrictions on the number of adult entertainment venues allowed to open in the town centre and the Promenade.

It means in future, new lap-dancing clubs will be banned unless they can prove they will not harm the family-orientated tourist trade.

Council leader Coun Peter Callow said he was determined to sweep away sleaze and restore Blackpool's family image [as a continuous strip of fish and chip shops!].

This new policy on new lap dancing and striptease clubs has been passed by Blackpool Council with all party support. The policy, which was introduced by nutter council leader Peter Callow and seems to dubiously put morality above the law of the land.

About 100 people turned out in Stoneham Park in Hove to show their opposition to a bid by the Portland Hotel in Portland Road to host strip shows until 4am.

Green city councillor and prospective Parliamentary candidate Ian Davey welcomed the turnout: It just shows the real strength of feeling in the local community against these ridiculous and outrageous proposals.

Coun Davey said: Our message to the committee is, 'just say no'.

He said more than 60 people had written letters of objection and a 150-signature petition has been handed to the council.

The Portland's landlord has defended the bid, explaining he wants the new licence to allow smokers outside later and that exotic dancing events would not be held regularly, if at all.

Brighton and Hove City Council's licensing panel met on 17th January to determine the application.

From a weekly legal dilemma column:

I am the HR manager of a large accountancy firm. We have discovered that a member of the team is going to a lap-dancing club during his lunch time. He is never back late, but some of the women in the firm find this type of behaviour upsetting. Can we stop him?

The fact that an employee attends a lap-dancing club during his lunch break or at any other time outside of working hours will not generally give grounds upon which you could take disciplinary action.

It may be different if it could be shown that it had some negative impact on the business. If he attends the establishment wearing a uniform that clearly identified the firm where he works, there may be an issue as to whether he could be bringing the name of the business into disrepute. However, this would be unlikely with a member of an accountancy team.

It may be better to treat this as a disagreement between staff. As with any dispute between colleagues, you should take all reasonable steps to resolve the matter. It may be the case that once they have had the opportunity to address the matter with a third party, then the differences can be resolved. If this cannot be done informally, then you would need to implement the firm's formal grievance procedure.

Ultimately, if the objections from the other employees continue to such an extent that they refuse to work with the employee, and he refuses to stop going to the lap-dancing club, you may have grounds to dismiss him due to the disruption the issue is causing in the workplace. However, you should remember that a decision to dismiss should only be taken as a last resort.

Secrets lap-dancing clubs has caused predictable nutter upset with plans to open a branch in Holborn.

Secrets, which has venues in Euston and Finchley Road, is asking for a 4am licence at its new club in Parker Street.
Licensing chiefs will decide on 9th January whether it can open and for how long into the evening the stripteases can go on for.

Nutters in the area have been writing to the  council’s licensing department with objections.

Police have also warned councillors to be aware of complaints of late-night disturbances in the street, which is already home to Parkers table-dancing club and nightclubs Sway, Browns, New Connaught Rooms, Guanabara and Bada Bling.

David Kaner, from the Covent Garden Community Association, has asked the council to take steps to protect pupils attending the nearby St Joseph’s Primary School in Macklin Street.
He said: This should include a prohibition against any advertising on the outside of the premises suggesting the activities available inside them (for example, photos of scantily clad males or females).

George Gallagher, chairman of Holland and Thurston Residents’ Association, said his members totally opposed the application “in all areas” fearing that small children might potentially witness lewd, drunken and violent behaviour. He added: The proposed lap dancing club would impact considerably on mothers, and other local women may also be harassed by sexually frustrated male clients leaving the club intoxicated.

Paul Taffe, who lives nearby, said in his letter of objection: Public sexual intercourse, violence, threatening behaviour, noise, car horns blaring all hours of the night, drunks of both sexes urinating and defecating outside our homes, vomiting, drug dealing and a general sense of menace after dark, and now you want to put more of the same on our doorstep.

In its application, Secrets guaranteed that audience members would not be permitted to participate in the performances, which would not include simulated sexual activity between the performers who would entertain no physical contact with the customers.

The club said it will provide that registered bouncers would supervise entrances and exits, rules of appropriate conduct would be displayed and a crime prevention strategy would be devised in collaboration with the police.