Lap dance body objects to Object
The Lap Dancing Association (LDA), launched just yesterday, has picked its first fight against lobby group Object.
Object today launches its campaign, "Stripping the illusion: The Re-Licence Lap Dancing Campaign", which calls for lap dancing clubs to be re-licensed as Sex Encounter Establishments with strict new conditions applied.
The group is working with a coalition of MPs, Peers and Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods towards a 10-minute Rule Bill to raise the issue in Parliament.
"Our campaign strips the illusion that you can licence cappuccinos in the same way as you licence lap dancing," said Object spokesperson Sandrine Leveque.
"Re-categorisation of lap dancing clubs will take power out of the hands of clubs operators and put it back in the hands of local authorities and local people.
"It's time to start licensing lap dancing clubs for what they really are - part of the sex industry."
However, the LDA has called on Object to work with it to improve standards and claims its literature is "factually inaccurate" and "over sensationalised".
Best practice
Simon Warr, president of Spearmint Rhino and LDA chairman said: "Like Object we are concerned about the practices of irresponsible operators and potential links with prostitution and drugs.
"Classifying us as sex encounter establishments will do nothing to prevent this and will simply drive irresponsible operators underground.
"At the LDA we are working to help the industry come of age and adopt minimum standards of best practice.
"We would urge Object to work with us on that - not against us."
Julian Skeens, a leading licensing lawyer and adviser to the LDA said: "It is simply wrong to say that it is easy to obtain a licence for a lap dancing club and misleading to suggest that the Licensing Act 2003 has created a loophole.
"In fact, the Licensing Act makes the granting of a licence open to far greater scrutiny by local residents and responsible authorities - a single objection can halt it in its tracks.
"It is also far easier for irresponsible operators to have their licences reviewed and taken away. The industry is under far greater scrutiny than ever before."
