Strip clubs set to be banned in Bristol

Strip clubs are to be banned in Bristol under radical proposals by the city council.

Ridding Bristol of the clubs would make good on mayor Marvin Rees’ pre-election promise from 2016 to ban sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) which prompted a backlash from women working in the industry.

There are currently two SEVs, both in the city centre, while existing rules allow others in Old Market and West Street – although both of these areas currently have none.

But councillors are being asked to approve a new draft policy that would set the limit at zero anywhere in Bristol.

The proposed ban, which would go out to a 12-week public consultation, appears in an appendix of an item to be considered by the licensing committee on March 8.

It is a major U-turn by the authority following years of pressure by women’s rights campaigners and comes despite lap-dancing clubs, which feature topless and fully nude performances, being legal, although it is up to councils whether to impose a “nil cap”.

Surveys show most Bristolians are happy with them as long as they are away from certain areas, including schools, housing estates, parks, women’s refuges and places of worship.

If the policy is adopted by the council, both of the existing venues – sister venues Urban Tiger on Broad Quay and Central Chambers on Stephen’s Street – would be forced to close or change their business.

Urban Tiger on the centre and Central Chambers in the Old City (pictured top) are both owned by the same company – photo: Martin Booth

At the two clubs’ annual licence renewal hearings in 2019, pole dancers said they were feminists also and had a right to choose how they earned a living.

But strip clubs are opposed by prominent figures including Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, Avon & Somerset police & crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens and Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire.

The city council’s SEV policy dates back to 2011, although it is not legally required to have one, and allows a maximum of two venues in the city centre, one in Old Market and West Street and none elsewhere.

Licensing committee members have so far failed to agree a replacement despite working on one for the last five years.

A largely unchanged policy faced months of delays going out to consultation in 2019 because it failed to address concerns from women’s groups or find evidence to either challenge or uphold the assumption that banning strip clubs would drive the industry underground.

That work has now been carried out and, although between 59 per cent and 66 per cent of respondents to that consultation agreed with maintaining current numbers and two-thirds said they should remain open and continue to be strictly regulated, the proposed policy has been rewritten to ban them altogether.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7jjZ0UJT2e/

A report to committee members says: “Strong representations were received from a number of groups who felt that to permit SEVs undermined the public sector equality duty and the council’s commitment to ensuring the safety of women in public spaces.

“A number of comments were made relating to the fear that some women experience when in proximity to these premises, whether objectively justified or not, which is relevant when the committee considers whether to impose a particular policy.”

It says Sheffield City Council has been subject to two judicial reviews around SEVs, one of which found its policy “failed to have due regard to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality and foster good relations”.

The report says Bristol City Council faces a “significant risk of challenge if the proposed policy approach does not sufficiently address this duty”.

Its draft policy is based on a new equalities impact assessment report which says: “There has been some research into the lap-dancing industry and the potential links between these venues and sexual violence.”

It says Leeds University school of sociology and social policy found in 2015 that one in four SEV performers had a degree and there was no evidence of forced labour, trafficking of women or connections to organised prostitution.

The maximum number of sex shops – including Rudies on West Street – would remain the same under the council’s proposals – photo: Martin Booth

Neither is there any rise in crime associated with Bristol’s two pole-dancing clubs, the report says. But it says: “Other research has concluded that lap-dancing clubs normalise the sexual objectification of women, have a negative impact on women’s safety in the local vicinity and may attract and generate prostitution.

“There is evidence that the sexual objectification of women is linked to sexual violence perpetration in combination with alcohol use.

“There is also evidence in young people of a direct relationship between the sexual objectification of girls and aggression towards them.”

But the report adds: “Whilst there is academic research relating to the damaging effects of sexual entertainment on attitudes to women and girls, we do not have sufficient local evidence to clearly link Bristol SEVs with an increase in crimes or sexual assaults in the vicinity of surrounding areas.

“Introducing a ‘nil cap’ policy in any locality where there are existing SEVs is likely to have a disproportionately negative impact on the livelihood of predominantly female employees.

“A ‘nil cap’ policy approach would need to be justified on the basis that the overall benefit for citizens outweighs the potentially negative economic impact on a largely female workforce.”

The maximum number of sex shops would remain the same – two in both the city centre, and Old Market and West Street, and zero in other areas.

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol. Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Is it time to ban strip clubs in Bristol?