Performers at Edinburgh's strip clubs have been consulted on a city council plan to put tougher regulations in place and curb licences.
Edinburgh city council was the first in Scotland to take steps to cap the number of sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in operation.
Dancers from the city's four lap-dancing bars were called to give evidence at a closed session earlier this week.
Louise was among them, having worked as a dancer in bars across the capital for more than five years.
Speaking on STV News, she said it was “unprecedented” that the council was offering to hear their views.
“We don’t want a cap to be set on the number of licences,” she said. “We do, however, think there could be oversight on exploitative practices from club owners and managers.
“A lot of people don’t realise that we have to pay to be at work – these fees are arbitrarily set by owners and they can be changed at a moment’s notice. So that’s something that the council could set a limit on.”
Louise also believes new rules could help strengthen moves by women within the industry to build a union.
She hopes speaking frankly about the job will help to challenge misconceptions.
Louise added: “It’s the way that we pay our rent, look after our families, pay for university, help start businesses… this is just work for us – there shouldn’t be a moral judgment placed upon us.”
The council said: “The evidence heard will be considered and included in a report to be presented to the regulatory committee later this year.
“A final decision will then be taken on how we propose to license these venues.”
