Thursday 20 March 2008

For immediate use 

MPs Take City Lap Dancing Fight to Parliament

Celia Barlow MP and David Lepper MP continued their fight against Lap Dance club licensing 

Following the local uproar over the application by the Portland Hotel for a nude lap-dancing license, Celia Barlow MP and David Lepper MP took the fight to Parliament.

During a Parliamentary debate on Wednesday, Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister responsible for licensing, announced that he would review the current legislation in order to restrict the number of lap dancing clubs in local areas.  Mr. Sutcliffe also promised to consult with Ministerial colleagues over a permanent change to the law.

The previous day Celia Barlow MP met with Mr. Sutcliffe and Councilor Gill Mitchell to present evidence against the Licensing Act of 2003, which classes lap dancing clubs and ballet lessons together.  Mr. Sutcliffe said that this evidence had assisted him greatly in clarifying the problem.  He also expressed concern over the 5 clubs in Brighton and Hove which have opened since 2005, and his response was positive.    

Celia Barlow said;

‘I am extremely encouraged by the Minister’s announcement today.  The current Licensing Act is wholly ineffective when it comes to regulating lap dancing clubs.  These clubs have sprung up in the hearts of our communities, and I also welcome the announcement to contact local authorities over what more can be done under the current law to prevent these clubs from opening’.

Ends