Bournemouth's Lap Dancing Clubs Under Threat

Bournemouth has undergone many changes in the last decade. Once seen as merely a retirement haven for the blue rinse brigade, the town has seen a transformation. The 'happiest place in the UK' now boasts a vibrant night-time economy, buzzing student community and of course, seven miles of beautiful beaches.

It's also home to a number of lap dancing clubs. For better or worse, Spearmint Rhino, Wiggle and For Your Eyes Only, to name a few, drag in the punters eager to see copious amounts of flesh.

Their position in the town could be under threat. Bournemouth borough's licencing board headed by Steve Wright have asked that local residents have a greater say in where lap dancing clubs are opened.

The current legislation means councils have little power to impose restrictions on the clubs however the board have indicated they are prepared to adopt section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

This will afford them powers to control areas such as opening times and exterior appearance plus giving them the opportunity to refuse to grant or renew a licence.

Mr Wright stipulated that the council are only just beginning to define a policy. The measures enacted will mean such establishments will have to apply for a sexual entertainment licence besides a licence to run a club and sell alcohol.

He added, “Local people will be able to make written representations on an application for a lap-dancing club on the grounds that it would be inappropriate, given the character of the area, or if it would be located in an area that is primarily residential."

So what defines a particular establishment as a place of sexual entertainment? I'm assuming that the guidelines mean an abode where such services are paid for.

Even so, there are known places in the Bournemouth area where gentlemen can visit to meet gorgeous women. Apparently they only pay for the canapes and ambience and anything sexual that occurs between consentual adults is just an added bonus and not part of the service. Do they requre a licence for such sexual entertainment?

Likewise, would a group of amorous forty-year olds who nip round a mate's house for a go on her newly fitted pole need to apply for a licence? I suppose it's subject to debate whether you classify anything that might go on as 'entertainment', let alone that of the sexual variety.

Also, what of the boozy lads night in? There's probably more perverse, homo-erotic nudity going on there than you can shake a stick at. Get a bunch of guys together, some supermarket vodka and a Twister mat and you've practically got an orgy on your hands.

So what's the future for lap dancing clubs in the town? If they have to apply for licence renewals every year, what are the chances of them being turned down?

Bournemouth isn't exactly Amsterdam and there aren't ladies with their red lights on enticing gentlemen into their cramped rooms so the exterior perhaps isn't such a problem.

The big deal then must lie in the service they offer. The fact remains though, you don't have to go in, especically if you're likely to be offended. Perhaps they're best kept in the open and not forced underground. The potentially criminal element lurking around the lap-dancing establishments can then be monitored if needs be.

Even the more liberal members of society probably don't want a lap-dancing club opened in the middle of a residential street. It'll be interesting though to see if the council act on existing clubs and impose any restrictions or perhaps go further and shut them down altogether. Does Bournemouth need lap-dancing? With the attractions if offers, especially to weekend visitors, some might say, it does.