Blackpool council's licensing committee look set to rule up to 4 lap-dancing clubs will be allowed to operate in Blackpool in future.
When the policy was first put together 6 months ago, the then ruling Conservatives suggested the number of
lap-dancing and striptease clubs be limited to 2.
But under the new Labour administration, it is being recommended up to 4 are allowed. However each application will be considered on its own merit, meaning other licences could still be allowed.
Councillor Norman Hardy, chairman of Blackpool Council's public protection sub-committee, said:
I feel if you are going to have a certain number, then you have to have a reasonable number.
You aren't going to be able to ban them, they will just go underground.
I believe it's better to have these clubs properly licensed and controlled rather than going underground and operating under their own
rules.
There are currently 5 clubs with lap dancing operating in Blackpool
Blackpool's 'public protection' sub-committee will consider the new policy on Thursday October 20.
Update: Limited Fun in
Blackpool
28th October 2011. From blackpoolgazette.co.uk
Proposals to allow up to four lap-dancing clubs to operate in Blackpool have been agreed, but venues will have to comply with miserable rules. Nudity will continue to be banned
while customers must sit down throughout performances and will be forbidden from touching dancers. Clubs will have to adhere to a total of 47 licensing conditions which also include strict controls on publicising premises.
Blackpool Council's
Maoist sounding 'public protection' sub-committee agreed a new policy covering sex entertainment venues which will come into force from May next year.
Previously a limit of 2 clubs was proposed but the new Labour administration recommended up to
four are allowed. However each application will be considered on its own merit, meaning other licences could still be allowed. There are currently seven lap-dancing clubs operating in Blackpool.
Councillor Paul Galley claimed the move would be
damaging to Blackpool's reputation as a family resort: I think this would send out the wrong message - that Blackpool is becoming sleazy.
But Councillor Chris Maughan said as long as venues were discreet and complied with the rules, he
believed they should be allowed: In Blackpool these venues are going to be highly regulated. If we do the right thing as a council and have the legislation in place, I don't think it will be detrimental to Blackpool at all.
Mark Marshall,
licensing and health and safety manager at Blackpool Council, said existing lap-dancing clubs were generally well run in the town: They suffer a lot less anti-social behaviour and a lot less crime. There is a lot more sit down drinking and the
violence, crime and other issues associated with town centre premises don't appear in these premises.
Sounds like the best thing about Blackpool will continue to be its fish and chips.