Glasgow's lap-dancing clubs may be shown the way out

Glasgow City Council has voiced opposition to the adult clubs, which some claim are used as a front for prostitution.

The wholesale closure of clubs would need an amendment tabled by Glasgow MSP Sandra White to be incorporated into the Criminal Justice Bill now going through Holyrood.

She has proposed that clubs should be subject to the same strict licensing regime as sex shops.

Such a change would mean local councils and licensing boards could set the acceptable local number at zero.

These clubs currently need only routine public entertainment licences.

The Scottish Parliament's justice committee will consider the plan this week.

In a letter to the committee on behalf of the council, the city's Community and Safety Services arm urged MSPs to accept Ms White's amendment, saying lap-dancing was a form of "violence against women".

The letter said: "Intelligence would suggest that these venues are in fact linked to, and part of, the sex industry and selling of sexual services does occur in some clubs."

The council said the current licensing regime was "ineffective", and added "local authorities must have the option to refuse to license such establishments".

The bid is reported to have backing from Scottish Women's Aid, the Scottish Coalition Ag-ainst Sexual Exploitation, and Scottish Women's Convention.

Councillor Jim Coleman, acting head of the council, said: "We view lap-dancing as a form of sexual exploitation which degrades women and also contributes to public nuisance problems."

There are four lap dancing clubs operating in Glasgow.