The government is seeking to close loopholes that will have the effect of reducing the number of lap-dance and strip clubs that open.
Gerry Sutcliffe, licensing minister, has written to local authorities asking them whether they wish to have stronger controls.
Such clubs are currently treated in the same way as bars and restaurants when they apply for licences but ministers want the cubs to be treated as “sex encounter establishments”. The number of clubs is estimated to have doubled to 300 in four years.
19/06/08 Times 9 Daily Telegraph 8 Guardian 4 Independent 5 Times2 7-9
