Dancers who work in Edinburgh’s strip clubs have given evidence to the city council as it prepares to crack down on the sector.
Last year, the local authority became the first in Scotland to agree to use discretionary powers to impose tighter regulations – which could include setting a limit on the volume of sexual entertainment venues.
Performers who work in the city’s four lap-dancing bars were invited to speak at a closed evidence session earlier this week.
Louise, who has worked as a dancer in Edinburgh’s bars for more than five years, was among them.
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 the union movement among women in the industry.
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.”
