Lap dancing club guidelines drawn up

District council members supported the setting up of a member working group to establish a policy for the places of sexual entertainment.

The vote at the meeting on Wednesday, June 23, of the full council supported the recommendation of the licensing and enforcement committee to take advantage of a change in the law.

But Francis Oppler (Lib Dem, Orchard) urged councillors to avoid being swayed by religious zealots when they drew up the guidelines.

"It must be recognised by the committee that its members should not be influenced by some people in the community who object to these establishments on moral or religious grounds.

"Any decision taken must be based on protecting community safety and the people who work in such sexual entertainment establishments," he said.

"I've no problem with them but there has to be protection for the people who work in them. It is plainly wrong to treat them in the same way as pubs and clubs."

The licensing law for 24-hour drinking brought in during 2005 enabled adult venues to be covered by the same rules as pubs and clubs.

This permitted businesses, such as the Shine club with lap dancing, to be opened on Bognor High Street.

But an amendment to the law last year gives councils the chance to better regulate the venues.

If the working party agrees, councillors will be able to take into account the character of an area and the suitability of applicants when they decide applications as well as controlling their advertising and deciding how many of the sexual premises should be allowed.

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