Okay so a couple of things I want to put on the table.
Firstly Leeds, oh no not again I hear you cry. Well it seems that a feminist group called support after rape want to object to the Leeds clubs (here). Now I would really like to see positive support of rape victims but once again there is the myth that the clubs are linked to rape, drug rings and people trafficking. Now they don't even supply links to support their claims (with Lilith removed from the Eaves site can see why it is a challenge) but rely on peoples imaginations to create an image that has no foundation in reality.
Now 6 clubs are wanting to renew their licenses and the website is calling for objections before the deadline on the 24th October. I would ask any readers of this blog that live in Leeds or have/will use the clubs should also write into the Licensing department at Entertainment Licensing, Leeds City Council, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR or e-mail entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk and to the clubs I would suggest you get your patrons and dancers to write in. Ensure you point out that the claims about rape, drugs and trafficking have no basis in reality and that scaremongering based on unsubstantiated claims only reflects badly on those who cannot be bothered to check information.
Ok now we are going to Watford and Beavers has been refused it's license because of the Police. It seems that dancers were offering more than just dancing to two undercover police. The police also believe there is a person behind the scenes who would be refused a license under normal circumstances. Now as much as I would want to support clubs this blog has always been about clubs being run within the legal guidelines and not about the owners but for the dancers and customers. Of course the clubs benefit from this but the focus is that the clubs know the stipulations and if they can't operate within them then they have no one but themselves to blame for losing their license.
Hopefully in the next few days we will have a piece by long time bog supporter Brute and also some news on Tower Hamlets, I am just waiting on something in writing.
TonyN (tonyprince@acdcfan.com)
Yes, disappointing about Watford, losing a licence when there is no public opposition to the club.
ReplyDeleteIt is but that is the risk you run when the police/council can check up on you. Have no idea about this silent partner the police were worried about but does sound funny as some dancers were booked direct and some very agency, But if the police have concerns then councils will look to refuse the license. Having been brought up in the walk around era before the clubs personally I have a very laid back view but in the current climate everything must be squeaky clean or the thought police will be shutting things down
DeleteAlso Leeds clubs could point out that they haven't stopped Leeds city centre being one of the UK's most vibrant places.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/leeds-city-centre-in-top-five-of-uk-vibrant-places-1-6136918
The clubs contribute to the vibrancy of Leeds, not been there for a few years but like any City you want a feel to it offers something for everyone. Otherwise it becomes this sterile drab place that no one goes to.
DeleteReckon there's any connection between the plan to close clubs and the £130 million retail development which was approved recently for Leeds city centre?
Deletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-24289075
If anyone other than Charlwood was behind the bid to close them I would be suspicious but with a moralist you know the priority with be putting personal morals before everything else/
DeleteBecause forcing small, independent service-sector businesses to close whilst paving the way for large retail corporations to occupy a prime city centre site has no moral dimension whatsoever, right? ;-)
DeleteHi Tony sorry i have not been adding many comments recently, have been really busy. Seems things aren't going too great for lap dancing clubs at the moment. I see Shades is facing big opposition again with 300 objections this time:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local-news/strip-club-will-face-huge-opposition-at-meeting-1-5571626
I wasn't expecting that and my letter of support was the only one... Looks like it's going to be down to the Tories again as the Labour and Lib Dems will undoubtedly oppose it as they did on the other occasions. It's a shame the Liberals don't live up to their name. Here are the documents:
https://estates3.warwickdc.gov.uk/cmis/Meetingdates/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/1894/Committee/26/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx
John the real world occasionally interferes with everyone. Strange as Shades contacted me for a template letter so would assume there would be more people standing with you. Having read a lot of the anti's they are spinning their defence on the "what about the kiddiez" approach. Now looking at the front door no way during the day adults (nevermind children) would even glance at the place. So then the only time children would get some idea it would be past the watershed and still you would see worse on MTV. So people make this claim and it doesn't make any sense. I would suggest to the owners they point this out.
DeleteThe thing about the 'antis' is that they like to present themselves as far more popular and far better organised than they actually are. When was the last time any of you read an objection letter which cited an original argument against a club opening / remaining open, or even presented the stock arguments in an articulate and temperate manner? On the basis of the most high-profile examples, most objection letters are either derived from the templates first used by Object Now, make inflammatory and unproven claims, or are written from an inadmissible subjective moral basis.
DeleteReading the letters of objections reminded me more of the campaign CLC put together in Lambeth. It is very ranty but all what about the kiddiez. Considering the local green campaigner is a outspoken christian you do sort of thing hmmmmmm.
DeleteJust seen Jon Chilvers Tweet. https://twitter.com/jonchilvers. Shades licence has been renewed! Hurrah!
DeleteJust tweeted him. But yeah feels good that those antis have wasted time and money. Hopefully they will stop wasting those next year and realise that the club is there to stay.
DeleteHere's the story from the Leamington Courier:
Deletehttp://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local-news/anger-after-renewal-of-club-s-sexual-entertainment-licence-1-5586421
As previous it looks like the tories voted in favour with Labour and the Lib Dems against (5 vs 5) with the chair getting the casting vote.
I agree it's all been a waste of time and tax payers money courtesy of the objectors, where this should have just been a rubber stamp exercise. However It looks like Shades will have to go through the same rigmarole every year as i can't see the objectors letting up any time soon.
Except now because the license has been granted again the council has to add in the possibility of a legal challenge if they refuse the license without Shades breaking regulations. The owners have the right to enjoy the license as per Human Rights. The objectors will be wasting their time and a huge chunk of council money. This is why the Nil Policies with exceptions have come into existence.
DeleteYeah i agree that should be the case, but 5 councillors on that committee were still not seeing it unfortunately, they'd probably let it go to a legal challenge and deal with it later. Especially when you get councillors of this calibre: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/10737767.Lap_dancing_furore__row_rages_on/
DeleteI doubt anyone is surprised that a councillor has deceived people to push their personal agenda. The fact that such a tiny amount of people responded suggested that people who have rather seen a building done up and in use rather than left to rot.
DeleteOkay well e-mailed the people in Leeds to ask for the Links and strangely no reply. So they know their claims are spurious but hasn't stopped them making them.
ReplyDeleteSurprise, surprise!
DeleteI have just gone back to their page and downloaded the template letter they are telling people to mail in. Strangely it refers to the wonderful Lilith report. Some people never learn.
DeleteSetting a political bear trap for themselves? ;-)
DeleteI have written in with my support of the 6 clubs and made it clear that anyone using Lilith is using information that no longer exists. I would love to attend those meetings and speak but just not going to happen as it would be funny actually saying how wrong Lilith and that the report should have linked a downturn in rape per 1,000 people in the borough if the period had of been longer.
Delete