Lap Dancing in West Midlands

Birmingham Council moralists want to limit the number of lap dancing clubs in Birmingham to 12, three more than the current nine.

Labour Councillor Majid Mahmood spewed tired clich é ridden and unsubstantiated claptrap:

It's about time we limited the number of sexual entertainment venues in this city. I would hate to see Birmingham turning into another Soho.

However Labour Councillor Habib Rehman warned that decisions based on moralising may be illegal:

We need to ensure what we propose does not flout competition laws.

The restriction idea will now form part of a ten-week consultation on the council's sexual entertainment venue policy. The consultation will also address concerns about the promotional methods used by adults-only venues after councillors last year called for a ban on the use of pornographic images on their websites.

The consultation, due to start next month, will ask members of the public to express their views through the council's website.

A report on the consultation will be put before the committee in April.

Coventry could find itself at the centre of a huge national debate if it votes for a ban on lap dancing clubs, a meeting heard.

The city council is looking at a possible ban on sex clubs and has launched a a 3 month public consultation to supposedly find out what the public thinks.

A council meeting heard the city could become a test case nationally and could be the subject of a judicial review if it decides on an outright city centre ban.

Coun Phil Townshend, cabinet member for community safety and a lawyer, told a cabinet meeting he was braced for a long legal battle.... BUT . ..he ludicrously claimed: I'm not setting myself up to be the bastion of public morality

The current policy allows up to two sexual entertainment venues in the city centre, and none in the rest of the city. There is currently only one, Heat, in the City Arcade.

Update: Consultation Results

14th January 2013.  See  article from  strip-magazine.com

Coventry's consultation had 500 responses of which a small majority. 53%  wanted a nil policy so the council looks like having one while allowing Heat the only actual club to continue operating.

Birmingham City councillor Nigel Dawkins has called for the sex establishments not to be allowed to use pornographic images on their websites.

Since last January, lap dancing clubs have had to apply for a Sexual Entertainment Venue licence. The committee has the power to refuse the licences and set the conditions under which they have to operate.

Dawkins said he wanted another condition put on the licences:

I think we should make it a condition that on their websites they do not use porn to advertise their clubs because they are using pornography to sell their business and that's a scandal, he said. They wouldn't be allowed to use these images on their windows, but they are free to use them on their websites.

Licensing committee chairman, Councillor Bruce Lines  said they had no powers over the internet. But the committee agreed to ask its officers to prepare a report for a future meeting on the possiblity of restricting how clubs advertised themselves on their websites.

The Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) is leading objections to an application to open a new strip club in the city, 150m from the side entrance to the Hippodrome Theatre.

The ballet fears that young dancers, as well as children who take part in workshops, will be exposed to undesirables by having lap dancing nearby at Scarlets Gentlemen's Club on Horsefair.

In a letter to the council's licensing committee, the ballet said: We feel that the introduction of an sexual entertainment venue in such close proximity presents an unnecessary danger to young people, many of whom are extremely vulnerable.

And BRB chief executive Christopher Barron said: ort many forms of entertainment ...BUT... we feel an adult entertainment establishment of this kind, so close to a venue that attracts family audiences and young people, would not be in keeping with the current environment that encourages people of Birmingham and their families to the area.

[What a load of bollox!, The 'current environment that encourages people of Birmingham and their families to the area', is in fact one of the binge drinking areas of Birmingham city centre, not to mention being the gay zone of Birmingham too].

Also objecting on the same grounds are the Hippodrome Theatre and Dance Xchange. Hippodrome chief executive Stuart Griffiths is claiming that the site is the wrong place for a strip club: The proposed location in Thorp Street is very close to public entrances to the theatre where children and families access the theatre, he said. For this reason we feel it would be inappropriate.

Scarlets owner Michelle Monaghan is also hoping to secure permission to introduce pole dancing, stripping and lap dancing at another venue, Mischkas at The Cyclone Club on Broad Street. Ms Monaghan said that she has eight years' experience running night spots, is well aware of her responsibilities and has consulted police on crime and security matters for both venues.

Scarlets is one of eight strip clubs hoping to secure a license under Birmingham City Council's new lap dancing policy. It is the only one to have attracted formal objections. The owners of all eight clubs will appear before the licensing committee on Wednesday. Other applicants include established Legs 11 branches at the Arcadian and Broad Street, Medusa in Suffolk Street, The Rocket Club, Broad Street and Spearmint Rhino in Hagley Road. Club Diamond, hopes to open in Holloway Head.

Update: Licence Granted

23rd September 2011. See  article from  bbc.co.uk

The owner of Scarlets lapdancing club has been granted a licence, the 7th such club in Birmingham

Michelle Monaghan said she would be surprised if people in the second city were against the idea of the lapdancing clubs because legislation governing them was so strict.

She said Birmingham and the Black Country were blighted by empty public houses and that lapdancing clubs were more profitable than normal clubs:

We have found with lapdancing clubs, we can open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and take as much as we could on a Saturday [at a standard nightclub].

A deal on setting limits for lap dancing clubs in Birmingham has been struck – but city licensing chiefs are still unsure what, if any limit should be.

Under the deal they agreed that there should be guideline limits for certain localities such as Broad Street, Hurst Street or Moseley, but will set the limits in future.

Nutters have lobbied hard for the committee to halve the number of clubs on Birmingham's Golden Mile from four to two. But the committee was warned by chairman David Osborne that they face costly judicial review if they set an arbitrary limit. He said: These venues rake in money, enough to fund a judicial review whereas the council is cash-strapped.

Councillor Bob Beauchamp thought that no limit was needed as they already have unimaginable power to refuse clubs.

A draft version of the new council policy to restrict and control strip clubs, or sexual entertainment venues as they are officially known, has rejected the chance to set a quota for Birmingham.

But a significant number of committee members, including Labour spokeswoman Barbara Dring and several Conservative members, support a cap.

At present Birmingham has about a dozen licensed strip clubs, including five on Broad Street, but supporters of a cap would like to see that number halved.

Officials, backed by Liberal Democrat chairman David Osborne, believe that not setting a limit will give them greater control and allow them to judge each venue on its own merits. Coun Osborne (Lib Dem, South Yardley) said: I have been to a conference with leading licensing lawyers who say that it is better to not set a cap, because it might fetter our future decisions. This way we have total discretion to judge each club on its own.

Broad Street businesses pleaded for a limit on the number of lap dancing and strip clubs allowed to operate in the city centre. They claim that a recent flurry of applications for new venues would deter investment and harm the city's reputation. But of course they have commercial interests in keeping competition under control.

They have called for a total limit of two clubs in Broad Street to be included in the city council's new policy on sexual entertainment venues even though there are currently four operating in the area.

Birmingham's licensing committee was split over whether or not to set a city-wide limit, compromised on guideline limits for various localities including Broad Street and Hurst Street. A limit on the number of clubs will be set in the next few months

The new licensing powers, which will come into force on January 3, 2011, gives the committee greater freedom to reject strip club licenses and the ability to set higher license fees. The proposed fee for a new licence is £9,935 and £5,070 for a renewal or variation.

The draft policy states that sites near residential areas, shopping centres frequented by families, tourist attractions, places frequently visited by families such as schools, swimming pools and parks and places of worship are inappropriate.

The policy comes into force on January 3 and the new licenses will be decided and awarded in July 2011. Existing venues will be allowed to continue until January 3, 2012.

The number of lap dancing and strip clubs in Birmingham could be halved under new powers adopted by Birmingham City Council licensing chiefs.

It means that club owners could be put through what a licensing lawyer has described as a beauty parade to see which ones get the licence and which ones have to cover up.

Birmingham's 15-strong licensing committee is currently split over what limit to set on sex entertainment venues. It meets on November 17 to set the cap.

Many feel that the dozen or so currently allowed in Birmingham is too many and expect a limit of about six to be set. Others believe that quality gentlemen's clubs are part of a modern city nightlife.

Labour group licensing spokeswoman Barbara Dring (Oscott) thinks a cap is needed, but is unsure at which level. She said: We have just granted two licenses on Broad Street and there could be dozen more in the pipeline so this change has come at the right time. A cap is needed otherwise we could end up with our own version of Soho.

Other committee members are ready to push for half-a-dozen. One suggestion is a couple on Broad Street, a couple near the Arcadian and a couple elsewhere.

Such a move would lead to the dozen strip clubs competing for the six licenses next year. Solicitor Andrew Potts, at a recent licensing hearing likened the competition to a beauty parade .

Committee chairman David Osborne (Lib Dem, South Yardley) does not believe that a limit is necessary and wants to judge every club on its merits. He said: I am delighted that we have adopted this new legislation. I am not sure how happy the industry are going to be about it.

We can now consider moral objections, economic issues such as impact on other businesses and take representations from a wider area. I know there are those who would prefer no lap dancing clubs at all. My thoughts are that if we have a cap, we could box ourselves in. It would be better to be flexible but I am willing to be persuaded otherwise.

A fourth lap dancing club will open along Birmingham's Golden Mile after city licensing chiefs dismissed supposed fears it would be a magnet for rowdy stag parties.

The Boujee Rooms on Broad Street, currently an upstairs nightclub, can now put on strip, pole and lap dancing shows 24 hours a day.

Key to the club winning the approval of Birmingham City Council's licensing committee was the lack of police objection, making a claim it would increase anti-social behaviour hard to support.

Boujee Rooms now follows the established Rocket Club and Legs 11 nightspots and the recently opened Cyclone club next door offering lap dancing.

Owner Sidney Taylor, who owns nine licensed premises including the Legs 11 club, said: I am delighted. We work with police and council to ensure our clubs are well run and trouble-free.

His lawyer, Sarah Clover, had earlier told the committee that there have never been formal complaints or objections to any of Taylor's other premises. She said: There is no evidence for the objections. They are all based on the claim it will lower the tone.

Business and residents groups including the City Centre Partnership, The Broad Street Bid and the City Centre Neighbourhood Forum opposed the club.

Gordon Keen, manager of the Walkabout bar and chairman of Broad Street Pubwatch, said: If you increase the number of lap dancing clubs, you increase the number of males coming to the Street. It might be good for business in some ways but it will increase public order problems. We have tried to encourage more females and students and stopped promotions at weekends to reduce this element.

Update: Birmingham More Appealing

19th October 2010.  See  article from  birminghammail.net

Business leaders have lost a legal battle to stop another strip club on Birmingham's Broad Street.

A judge decided the Boujee Rooms could continue to run a 24-hour lap dancing operation – the ninth sex establishment in the Golden Mile entertainment quarter – after rejecting Birmingham City Council's appeal.

The decision was condemned by directors of the Broad Street Business Improvement District (BID), who brought the appeal claiming the seedy nature of strip clubs encouraged prostitution and crime.

Already many of our members, who are made up of the bars, restaurants, offices and hotels, have told us they are dismayed at the decision. We have reconfirmed our opinion that any further matter will be pursued within the framework of the current law.

Plans to open a strip club in Sutton Coldfield have been turned down because of the perception it would increase crime and seedy activity.

The bid by Flints wine bar in Belwell Lane, Mere Green, to re-brand itself as the Pussycats Gentlemen's Club was thrown out by the city council after more than 100 nutters sent letters objecting to increases in late night noise, crime and nuisance as well as the moral decline of the area.

Licensing committee chairman David Osborne said: The application is refused. We are particularly concerned at the increase in noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

In an attempt to appease protesters the licensee Deirdre O'Rourke, who has 35 years experience running pubs, offered to cut back closing times from the initial suggested 3.30am to 1am weekdays and 2am at weekends, in line with other Mere Green nightspots.

But it was a late change of heart by local police, who at first had no formal objections, which swung the three-strong licensing committee against the introduction of nude dancing in Mere Green.

Sutton Coldfield police inspector Tom Hadley told the committee that whether or not crime would in reality increase was not the issue. He argued there was a widely held perception among locals that seedy activities such as prostitution, drug dealing and alcohol-fuelled disorder would soar. We not only measure reported crime, but also how safe people feel, and community harmony. It's about reassurance, trust and confidence I believe that as a direct result of this application people in the area are more fearful of crime and more fearful of going out after dark.

He recognised that there were initially no objections from his licensing officers, who had worked with Mrs O'Rourke to ensure it would be a well-run and discreet club. But added that the public reaction in recent weeks had persuaded him it would be a bad idea.

But retired police officer Sid Wood, speaking on behalf of Mrs O'Rourke, had argued that the club would cause less nuisance than the existing Flints wine bar. He said: At the moment people drink outside, there is music playing all even-ing. Under the new licence this would stop at 8pm. The only activity outside would be the occasional smoker.

Following the committee's decision he said that it was ‘likely' they would appeal against the decision. An appeal would be heard by magistrates.

It is timely to recall senior police evidence presented at a Commons culture committee investigation into lap dancing:

Chief Inspector Adrian Studd, of the Metropolitan Police, said local residents often wanted officers to take action on moral grounds. He told the Commons culture committee such clubs were usually well-run and had a high staff ratio to customers. Often people look for a moral decision, which is sometimes very difficult for police and local authorities to make .

It is true to say there is no evidence they cause any crime and disorder, or very rarely, because they tend to be fairly well-run, they tend to have a fairly high staff ratio to customers, the people who tend to go there tend to be a bit older, so they don't tend to drink so excessively and cause... problems outside.

Flints is a large wine bar in Sutton Coldfield.

The owner, Deidre O'Rourke, wants to turn the pub in to a members only adult club called Pussy Cats and serve drinks until 3am in suburban Mere Green.

The landlady claims upmarket dancing girls would attract wealthy footballers and businessmen and has rubbished claims that the club will be a brothel in disguise.

But nutters have predictably branded the plans seedy. Claire Hope said: It's completely wrong for a suburban street like Belwell Lane and completely wrong for Sutton. There is no shortage of lapdancing clubs in Birmingham. Regardless of how well it is run, people will feel threatened by groups of men going there late at night. The bar is on the school run.”

A few sgnatures have been collected on a 137 name petition.

Sutton Coldfield's nutter MP Andrew Mitchell has stated in a letter to residents: I am quite clear that Mere Green and Sutton Coldfield are not appropriate locations for this sort of activity.

Update: Protest

6th November 2008. Based on article from birminghammail.net

Around 50 campaigners gathered outside Flints in Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, to raise awareness of the proposals.

Slogans on some of the placards being waved on Saturday included Sex in the city, not in the suburbs , Brothel in disguise and No to sleepless nights.

Birmingham City Council will decide on the application on November 26.

Update: Petition

25th November 2008. See article from thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk

The case against turning Flints into an adult entertainment venue now includes:

• 120+ letters of objection.
• A 14 page petition.
• Strong opposition from Waitrose, Lloyds British and other local businesses.
• A blunder has resulted in official agenda papers stating West Midlands Police has 'no objections to the application'. However chief superintendent Russell Smith gave his reassurance the licensing committee would be left in no doubt of the police's strong objections.