Should Bristol ban strip clubs?

The future of the two strip clubs currently licensed in Bristol hangs in the balance.

Bristol City Council’s proposal of a ‘nil-cap’, or ban, of sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in March has ignited a saga of debate between politicians, women’s groups, charities and sex workers.

At the core of the increasingly polarised discourse are questions around women’s safety, gender equality, sexual violence and women’s autonomy.

Despite being granted renewed licences to operate for another year, the survival of Urban Tiger and Central Chambers is uncertain.

Their continued existence will be decided next year by a licensing committee, following a 12-week public consultation.

A nil-cap would effectively close the city’s two SEVs.

Here is what some prominent voices within the debate have to say:

For a nil-cap on SEVS: 

Marvin Rees, Bristol mayor (in Bristol24/7’s 2021 mayoral hustings)

“We have two, what we might call, clashing rights here. One is the right of women to choose how they make a living, but the concern is that there is a consequence for that decision in wider society in terms of the implications for women and the image of women much more widely.

“That is the discussion that is live right now. Women’s groups in the city, just from my own view, brought evidence to me suggesting that when there are SEVs in a place that there are negative consequences for the objectification of women and women’s safety. That was evidence that swayed me.

“But, having said that, this is not a mayoral decision, this is a licensing decision, now it has gone for consultation and it will go to licensing which is a cross-party group, there will be an opportunity to put all the evidence on the table. There are people that say that there is a consequence for women safety, and what it means to be a woman. There are people that are saying actually that there is no consequence for that.”

Against a nil-cap on SEVS: 

Bristol Sex Workers’ Collective (BSWC) (in an open letter to Bristol City Counnil)

“The current SEV policy in Bristol clearly states that moral judgments have absolutely no place when making decisions on the licensing of the establishments.

“As demonstrated, figures show that SEVs do not have any negative impact on crime, are safe working environments and have better regulation in place than most regular venues. We believe that shutting those places down would therefore be discriminatory, unlawful and infringe the Equality Act by taking away women’s bodily autonomy and choices. And we are not alone: the BSWC started a petition against the closure of SEVs and has already gathered over 6,000 signatures so far.

“We demand that Bristol City Council respects the law, democracy and honours workers’ rights by voting against the proposed nil-cap.”

Strippers staged a protest on College Green in April – photo by Martin Booth

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Read more: ‘Strip clubs promote a harmful sexist culture and stand in the way of equality’

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For a nil-cap on SEVS: 

Bristol Women’s Commission
“We are in the midst of an epidemic of male violence against women and girls. This violence is underpinned by gender inequality and a sexist culture that objectifies women and girls and fuels male entitlement. Recent studies confirm this.

“It is these attitudes – promoted in sexual entertainment venues – which lead to behaviours that harm women and girls. Tackling this will require a huge, consistent multi-agency approach from schools to workplaces, our police forces and justice system, NHS, government and council. As well as campaigns, education and investment into prevention, we need policy changes.

“The council has a rare chance to do something tangible to address this, to introduce a nil cap policy which would send a clear message to men and boys that they do not have a right to treat women and girls as sex objects, and to women and girls that their value lies in more than their bodies and whether they sexually gratify men.”

Against a nil-cap on SEVS: 

Ani Stafford-Townsend: Green councillor for central ward and co-shadow cabinet member for culture, communities, equalities & public health (in an opinion piece for Bristol24/7)

“The decision on the future of the clubs should be based on facts only. Whether one approves or disapproves of sex work, the fact is that without safe venues the women working in them will be forced to dance in dangerous situations.

“Rather than targeting those women, advocation of tools for the elimination of the reason’s women turn to this work. Living wages, universal basic income, truly affordable housing, properly funded social care, focus on removing the need for women to choose this work if one would prefer they don’t choose it. Educating ourselves and our children in consent, and respect of others’ boundaries and bodily autonomy. But we must take care to not make it more dangerous for women in our city.”

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Read more: ‘Without safe venues, women will be forced to dance in dangerous situations’

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For a nil-cap on SEVS: 

Thangam Debbonaire, Labour MP for Bristol West (in a statement published on Debbonaire’s social media)

“I am in favour of a nil cap on SEVs. Challenging a culture of misogyny and hatred of women is essential if we are to end the culture of male abuse. This has a devastating impact on women’s lives, both at home and in public. Misogyny is based on a very strong belief system where men are entitled to women’s bodies. Being able to pay for stripping or other sexual entertainment feeds into a culture where it is acceptable to discriminate against women, abuse them, pay for sex or harass them. This must change.

“I am aware that many other people have different views. I have spoken with women who tell me they want to continue to work in SEVs and that they feel safe and I’ve also spoken with women who have had very unpleasant or abusive experiences of working in them. However, for me, this is also about the wider impact on society more generally, which affects all women.”

Urban Tiger is one of two strip clubs in Bristol city centre – photo by Martin Booth

Against a nil-cap on SEVS: 

Equity Bristol (in a statement published on their website)
“Both [SEV] venues in Bristol are family-owned and female-run, and both located in central Bristol. They are in good standing with Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol Nightlife and The Bristol Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independent Establishments (BARBIE). These venues employ approximately 100 workers, including performers, bringing a host of benefits to the business community, suppliers and the wider local night-time economy.

“A previous consultation on the Sex Establishment Policy by Bristol City Council was carried out in 2019 which proposed maintaining the number of establishments within the city – 66 per cent of Bristol residents were happy with the current number of SEVs and did not object to them. But BCC have decided to re-run this consultation, without any breaches of licensing in the intervening period either pre or post-pandemic.

“We recognise that the licensing of SEVs in any city may divide public opinion, but at the heart of this campaign is the protection of workers’ rights, their right to a safe and regulated workplace and the right to have a say in how your workplace provides its duty of care.”

Main photo by Central Chambers

Read more: One25 CEO apologises for previously supporting nil-cap on SEVs

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