This Scottish city could be the first in the UK to ban lap dancing clubs

Glasgow could become the first city in the UK to ban lap dancing clubs

Licenses for the city's four venues will come under the spotlight as the council asks the public how many 'Sexual Entertainment Venues' (SEVs) there should be.

Powers available to the council include requiring SEVs to be licensed and the ability to put a cap on the number of licences issued in the city.

Legislation allows for setting the cap at zero, effectively banning clubs from operating.

The consultation, open until August 26, is asking the public's views on what the appropriate number of SEVs should be.

The council is effectively asking if there should be any or none at all.

If the former, what localities should they be in, including residential areas, industrial areas, late night economy areas or the city centre as a whole.

Glasgow currently has four venues that would need to be licensed if the council goes ahead - Diamond Dolls, Forbidden, Platinum Lace and Seventh Heaven.

A SEV is defined as 'any premises at which sexual entertainment is provided before a live audience for (or with a view to) the financial gain of the organiser'.

The licence conditions could include full details, names, dates of birth and nationality of performers to be available for inspection and immigration status checks to guard against human trafficking.

Hygienic changing facilities for the use of performers would need to be provided and security measures in place to ensure performers are able to leave safely.

The council could consider the location of premises and how close they are to schools, places of worship, women's refuges, also the character of the area, if it is mostly residential or of historical or cultural importance.

Incidents in the area involving anti-social behaviour, sexual assaults or prostitution could also be taken into account.

The interior of the venue would not be visible from the outside and advertisements would be regulated.

The licensee would be responsible for ensuring there is no physical contact between performers and customers and ensure contact details are not exchanged.

Jan Macleod, of the Women's Support Project in Glasgow said it wanted a limit of zero and for existing lap dancing clubs to be closed.

But she was not sure the rules would allow closures.

She said: "Our organisation shares the Scottish Government's view that lap dancing, stripping etc. are forms of sexual exploitation and that these activities are incompatible with gender equality.

"In our view the current lack of regulation puts women at risk, but it remains to be seen whether the new guidance will improve that situation."

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The consultation closes on Monday, 26 August and all the responses received will be put to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee to allow it to make a decision about the future policy development of Sexual Entertainment Venues in Glasgow.

"It would be inappropriate - whilst the consultation process is being undertaken - for us to comment on any of these matters."

Diamond Dolls, Forbidden, Platinum Lace and Seventh Heaven have been approached for comment.