Council Considers New controls Over Lap Dancing Venues
Friday 15th October 2010
Bedford Borough Council is set to
consider whether to introduce new legislation restricting adult
entertainment venues like lap dance clubs.
Existing powers available to the
council, to control the opening and operation of lap-dancing
premises or impose conditions on their licence are covered under
the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1982.
The new controls, which were introduced
by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, would give the
council the ability to impose a wider variety of conditions on lap
dancing clubs. These conditions could affect opening hours,
adverts, and the visibility of the interior to passers by. The
council would also be able to refuse to grant or renew a licence on
the grounds that such an establishment would be inappropriate given
the character of the area or if it is located somewhere that is
primarily residential.
Next weeks meeting of Full Council will
consider whether or not to introduce the new legislation. To have
your say contact Keith Simmons, Head of Registration and Records
telephone (01234) 221676.
Cllr Sally-Ann Smith said: “The issues
around lap dancing clubs and similar venues always provoke a lot of
debate. This new legislation provides the council with more power
to control these establishments and I urge everyone to give us
their views on whether or not they should be introduced.”
A decision on whether or not to adopt
the powers locally will be considered by the Council on
20th October.