Sir, On the final day of a consultation on how lap-dancing clubs are licensed we call on the Government to enact urgent reforms and give local authorities greater regulatory powers.

Since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003 the number of UK lap-dancing clubs has doubled — and local authorities have been powerless to stop the spread. Lap-dancing clubs are in contradiction to efforts to promote gender equality. Yet by boxing lap-dancing clubs into the same licensing category as cafés, and concurrently requiring the promotion of gender equality, the hands of local authorities have been tied.

As venues offering thoroughly gendered entertainment similar in nature to sex cinemas or peep shows, lap-dancing clubs need to be recognised, regulated and licensed for what they are: part of the commercial sex industry, not the ordinary leisure industry. Tinkering with legislation primarily designed to regulate cafés and karaoke bars is not the vehicle for this. Neither is relying on planning controls.

Instead, the only viable solution is to allow local authorities to licence lap-dancing clubs as sex encounter establishments — venues that provide visual sexual entertainment. This would give local authorities vital powers to regulate where, when and on what terms lap-dancing clubs may be established. It would also make it easier for licensing committees to listen to residents.

Alongside Object and the Fawcett Society we urge the Government to introduce a public Bill to this effect early in the new parliamentary term. It is time to give local authorities and local communities a voice.

Cllr Gill Mitchell
Leader of the Labour Group, Brighton & Hove Council

Cllr Barbara Weed
Warwick District Council

Cllr Bill Turner
London Borough of Tower Hamlets

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