a growing tide: local authorities restricted by inadequate ... - Object

10 LAP DANCING LICENCES BLOCKED FOLLOWING PUBLIC
OPPOSITION
10.1
Southwark
Licensing situation
Southwark Council approved the licence for a lap dancing club on Tooley
Street, SE1. Local opposition joined forces with the Mayor of London and
Bishop of Southwark to mount a legal challenge to the licence.
Action
In the face of mounting public opposition Network Rail, landlord of the
premises, threatened to withdraw the lease unless the licence applicant
removed lap dancing from the application. Campaigners later undertook a
second campaign to protest a further application.
Supported by
Ken Livingstone; Mayor of London, Councillor Fiona Colley, Tooley Street
Tenants and Residents Association, Downside Fisher Youth Club, GLA
Unison Branch, Islamic Forum Europe Southwark, London Bridge Hospital,
London Dungeon, Peckham Islamic Centre, Poole of London Partnership,
Salmon Youth Centre, Snowfields Primary School, Southwark Asian
Organisation.
10.2
Newham
Licensing situation
Prior to the Licensing Act 2003 Newham had four lap dancing clubs.
However, the Council’s Licensing Authority has been unable to track these
venues in the wake of the new legislation 45 . In 2006 an application was made
for pole dancing at the Anchor Pub. It was met by opposition by from local
residents, headteachers, councillors and the police.
Action
The application was refused because Newham Council licensing committee
was not satisfied that it met the criteria under the Licensing Act in the
prevention of crime, disorder and public nuisance.
OBJECT
29
Challenging Sexual Objectification