Lap-dance licensing rule change backed

2.08.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st Jul 2008

The leader of Leeds City Council has welcomed moves to tighten up the rules governing the licensing of lap-dancing clubs.

The issue will be debated in the council chamber today (Wednesday 2nd July). A white paper motion calls for the council to lend its support to a bill currently going through parliament that will reclassify lap-dancing clubs along the same lines as sex shops and adult cinemas. At the moment these establishments are licensed under the same rules as restaurants and cafés, making it hard for local authorities to control their proliferation.

Like many other parts of the country, Leeds has seen something of a boom in lap-dancing establishments in recent years. Currently nine operate in the city with a 10,000 square metre, £1million lap-dancing "superclub" adjacent to the Queen's Hotel near City Square also set to open this year. Cllr Brett has reservations about the number of clubs that have opened and the appropriateness of their location.

Cllr Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill), leader of Leeds City Council and executive member with responsibility for licensing said:

"Common sense dictates that lap dancing clubs are very different to a normal bar or restaurant and should be licensed accordingly. At the moment we have no power over the number of lap-dancing clubs that operate in Leeds or their location.

"The government's changes to the licensing laws have allowed this situation to develop. It is quite clear that the growing public concern on this issue needs to be addressed.

"I very much welcome the chance to debate this topic in council and hope that the government lends its full support to the measures currently before Parliament . "