Sheffield city councillors have voted not to cap the number of sex venues within the city, rejecting proposals to set the limit at two. \Sheffield is currently home to two sexual entertainment venues: the Spearmint Rhino lap dancing club, in the city
centre; and the La Chambre swingers club in Attercliffe. Plans to set that number as the limit, preventing any more from opening, were dropped following public consultation on the council's sex establishment policy. Sheffield Heeley MP
Louise Haigh was among those who had supported a ban on further vanues, as she claimed had been adopted by 10 other local authorities across the country whinged: This is not only disappointing because of the lack
of joined-up thinking it demonstrates, but also because of the current climate wherein sexual harassment and the entrenchment of inequality between men and women is so prevalent.
Liberal Democrat councillors had previously
labelled the council prudish and anti-business for proposing to limit the number of sex clubs. A council report had warned limiting employment in lap dancing clubs could lead women to seek work in less-regulated high-risk erotic dance environments. It
also stated the council was not permitted to take a moral stance on strip clubs. Councillor Paszek said: We have developed a policy that is fit for purpose and allows any sex establishment operating in Sheffield to be
properly administered and regulated to maintain the high management standards, the safety and safeguarding of staff, performers, patrons and members of the public, as well as ensuring these premises are located appropriately and in accordance with the
legislation.
The council received 130 responses to the consultation, which it said included a range of opinions. The council's new policy states that sex clubs, shops and cinemas are not appropriate in certain locations,
including near schools, parks and places of worship, or in the city's cultural hub, which incorporates the Millennium Gallery and theatres. | 
