HILARY WELCOMES NEW POWERS TO CURB LAP DANCING CLUBS  

Hilary Armstrong MP has welcomed legislation giving local residents new powers to control the consent of lap-dancing clubs in their local area.  Hilary said: “Local residents shouldn't have lap-dancing clubs forced on their neighbourhoods and this new legislation empowers local people to prevent them from being established where they are not wanted” She added: “People quite rightly fear what these clubs could do to the reputation of a local area and what sort of culture children are being exposed on their doorsteps” Current licensing laws put clubs in the same category as pubs and cafes and councils can object only on the grounds of crime, nuisance or public safety. From April, clubs will be classed as sex establishments and residents will be able to oppose venues for being inappropriate to the local area. Existing clubs will have 12 months to apply for a licence...