Diana Johnson: Clampdown on clubs that bring sex trade to high street

Lap dancing clubs are relatively new in the UK. The first club opened in 1995, but since then they have proliferated. Their number is now a matter of legitimate concern to many.

It has taken some years to refine the regime for controlling their operation, to recognise the special nature of these establishments and the problems that they may cause for local communities.

As a part of the sex industry there are valid reasons why people object to the existence of such clubs, especially in certain locations, such as near schools or where families gather.

It is, therefore, vital that we allow communities to have a say as to if, and where, these clubs are allowed to open.

Powers were introduced by the last Labour government to allow local authorities to designate premises being used as strip clubs, “gentleman’s clubs”, pole dancing clubs or lap dancing clubs as “sexual entertainment venues”.

If councils adopt these powers, both the local authority and local residents will have a much greater say over the operation of lap dancing clubs, with annual reviews and allowing local people to object to the opening of a club if it is deemed inappropriate for the character of an area.

Labour councils have been at the forefront in using this legislation, including Swansea who conducted an extensive consultation before deciding that the maximum number of lap dancing clubs in the city would be zero, reflecting the wishes of residents.

But there is a gap in the current law exempting premises from having to obtain a sexual entertainment license if they hold no more than 11 lap dancing events in a year.

Not only is it a concern that such venues can operate outside of the normal licensing regime, and circumvent the strict controls that councils would place on their operation, it is also understandable that people will have concerns about lap dancing occurring in local pubs.

In a debate at Westminster last week, the Home Office Minister admitted that some venues were abusing this provision, but would not commit to taking any action. Examples of problems in the seaside town of Newquay were given by the local MP.

The fact that these premises are normal pubs or clubs the rest of the time only makes it more inappropriate that they can host adult entertainment once a month.

Labour thinks this area needs to be reviewed and is calling on the Government to consider closing this loophole.

On licensing sexual entertain-ment, the Government seems to have dropped previous commitments to give more power back to local communities. Coalition proposals on planning will mean communities losing their right to object to a change of use and potentially make setting up lap-dancing clubs easier. Is this really allowing communities to have their say?

Labour’s “Save our High Streets” campaign has highlighted the dangers of some of the Government changes, which could make the opening of lap-dancing clubs more likely, alongside other undesirable features such as loan shark outlets – blighting our high streets, especially in poorer communities.

There is another aspect of lap-dancing which needs to be considered. Some women choose to become erotic dancers, making that choice themselves – freely.

But studies have shown that there are many working in the different parts of the sex industry for whom the choice is not free. The sex industry is responsible for a great deal of human trafficking – the modern incarnation of slavery that many thought had been abolished 200 years ago after the long campaign by Hull’s William Wilberforce.

The Home Secretary has talked about a new Bill to deal with modern slavery. Any progress in this area would be welcomed by MPs in all parties. Labour has been calling for serious efforts to take on this international trade in misery and exploitation.

However, details of the Government’s plans for victims of trafficking are still sketchy.

I will be interested to see whether the Government intends to strengthen the licensing regime on sexual entertainment as part of these plans.

Such changes will be a real step forward for all those wanting to reclaim their communities from the sex trade.

*Diana Johnson is MP for Hull North and Shadow Home Office Minister.