Cheltenham civic chiefs 'disappointed' over lack of Government plans to close 'pop-up strip clubs loophole'

Cheltenham civic chiefs are disappointed with the lack of Government plans to clamp down on a loophole which allows pop-up strip clubs to open across the country with no oversight. Sex entertainment venues open in the spa town during weekends and weeks that coincide with meetings at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Operators wishing to open an SEV at a single premises for more than one day in a row at the same venue can do so by applying to Cheltenham Borough Council for a licence. And licensing chiefs say such an application allows the authority to impose enforceable conditions and keep tabs on any breaches.

However, there is an exemption which allows pop-up strip clubs to operate for licensed premises for one night only. This loophole has sparked concerns over violence against women and girls as SEVs can open one day and move elsewhere the next day without the oversight of the council's licensing department.

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Councillor David Willingham (LD, St Peter’s), who chairs the licensing committee at the Borough Council, wrote to the Government recently to ask if Labour has any intention of removing the exemption. He also said his council would be very happy to provide evidence and testimony should the Government decide to review the legislation relating to sex establishment licensing.

In the letter he also highlighted that the nature of strip clubs that open in the town during race week leads to concerns being expressed about issues such as modern slavery, coercive control, and violence against women and girls.

However, safeguarding and violence against women and girls minister Jess Phillips said the Government currently has no plans for a formal review of the licensing regime. However, she said the Government has committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade.

“We will do everything in our power to achieve this, overhauling every aspect of society’s response to these devastating crimes and using every tool available to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse and violence.

“While the Government does not have any current plans for a formal review of the licensing regime, we will keep it under review as part of our wider work to ensure that local people are able to contribute to the development of their community and our Safer Streets Mission.”

Councillor Willingham said the council was disappointed by the Government’s response and the lack of any intention to review or change the law around the frequency exemption for SEVs.

“My colleagues and I stand together, shoulder to shoulder, to tackle violence, intimidation and abuse against women and girls in Cheltenham. Under current legislation, we encourage licensing for sexual entertainment venues (SEV) as the regulation this provides is safer and preferable to the risks associated with exempt SEV activities, without any enforceable licensing conditions.

“We’re disappointed by the response from government that there is no intention to review or change the law relating to the frequency exemption for SEVs. We encourage residents, objector groups and other people concerned about this to lobby their MPs and Government, and to supply them with any evidence they may have about the need for legislative change.”