Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chris Riches & Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Blackpool axes lap dancing clubs in bid to improve image and become family resort

Blackpool has agreed to get rid of all its lap dancing clubs in a bid to become a family resort.

Licensing chiefs at Blackpool Council have also agreed a new policy to permit only one sex shop to trade in the town.

But they have now set a 'zero limit' on strip clubs as they plan to remove all sexual entertainment venues.

Under new plans, instead of an immediate ban the existing four lap dancing clubs will operate until their licences lapse – and then they will not be renewed.

Licensing bosses said the plans will enhance Blackpool's aim to be a real family resort.

Councillor Peter Hunter said he would prefer to see all four clubs and the town's one trading sex shop closed immediately.

What do you think about this decision? Join the debate in the comments below

One councillor warned the clubs could go underground if they were told to shut down immediately (stock image) (Getty Images)

He said: "To me these venues are very, very seedy in the extreme and quite frankly, I don't want to see them in Blackpool at all.

"I don't want to see them in any town, but especially not Blackpool which is a family holiday resort."

But Councillor Neal Brookes warned the clubs could go underground if they were told to shut down immediately - rather than slowly closing over time.

He also did not want lap dancing clubs in a family resort, but warned: "If we don't have a licensed venue, we run the risk of it going underground."

Licensing chiefs say the move to phase out the clubs also reflects Blackpool's support of the White Ribbon campaign to reduce violence towards women.

As soon as clubs' licences lapse they will not be renewed (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The committee approved the policy which will now go out to public consultation for eight weeks, before coming back to officials for a final decision.

Licensing chair Councillor Adrian Hutton previously said: "We're not against people coming to Blackpool and having a good time.

"But there is an element that causes problems and this is a way to reduce that.

"A lot of thought has gone into this to come up with a policy which helps the town."

The seaside resort had about 13 lap dancing venues in the mid-2000s but numbers have steadily reduced to four.

Sex entertainment venues are currently closed under the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

But when they are allowed to reopen, they would be re-licensed providing they comply with legislation and licence conditions.

Once a licence lapses, revoked or surrendered, or otherwise not renewed, the acquired rights would be lost.

New applications would still be considered but with the zero policy in place, it would be difficult to get a licence granted.

Other changes within the revised policy include tighter controls over how dances are paid for, and a ban on dancers taking mobile phones into performance areas.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.