A decision on the proposed ban of strip clubs in Bristol is needed urgently, according to a member of the licensing committee. Conservative Cllr Chris Windows says the city council is “going round in circles” on the issue and that the delay is “positively dangerous”.
It is nearly 15 months since a draft new policy was published that would introduce a “nil cap” of sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) across Bristol. A 12-week public consultation was held from September to December 2021 but since it closed there has been no word on the outcome or what happens next.
Bristol City Council’s latest statement of licensing policy was approved unanimously at an annual meeting of full council on Tuesday (May 24) but it is separate to the SEV policy, which is under review. Cllr Windows told the meeting: “There appears to be little mention in the report of the direction of travel of sexual entertainment venues.
Read more: Lap-dancing clubs could be banned by Bristol City Council
“Judging by experience over recent years it would appear to be going round in circles. A decision on a nil policy of such SEVs needs to be decided upon very quickly now.
“We’ve heard all the arguments for and against, some valid, some definitely not valid. The licensing authority is in danger of being accused of asking for guidance but not liking the result and proposing another consultation.
“This needs a decision as a matter of urgency. Us going round in circles on it is not only difficult but positively dangerous.” The city’s two lap-dancing clubs, both in the city centre – Urban Tiger and Central Chambers – had their licences renewed in September after councillors heard the venues had met all the requirements of their licence conditions and the police had not objected.
Under the current policy, from 2011, a third SEV is also permitted in Old Market, although the area does not currently have one. The proposed changes, which represent a major U-turn by the local authority, would ban them all.
A largely unchanged policy faced months of delays before going out to consultation in 2019, with about two-thirds of respondents agreeing the clubs should be allowed to stay open. In contrast, last year’s consultation proposed a ban amid concerns of links between strip clubs and sexual violence, although a report to the licensing committee in March last year also said there was insufficient local evidence to link the city’s SEVs with crime or sexual assaults.
The results and recommendations from the consultation have still not been published.
