Powers to regulate stripclubs

South Ayrshire Council is set to belatedly introduce new powers to regulate strip clubs and other adult entertainment venues.

In 2019, the Scottish Government passed legislation that allows councils to introduce a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence for premises that provide adult entertainment.

This would also allow the council to consider proximity to schools, churches and homes and take into account issues relating to sexual assaults and people trafficking.

But despite approving proposals in early 2020, South Ayrshire Council had failed to formally implement the new policy, citing the pandemic for the delay.

Now the matter will be discussed at the next Leadership Panel.

While South Ayrshire Licensing Board does have powers to regulate potential adult venues using existing premises licenses for the sale of alcohol, the Scottish Government has stated that, without formal resolution, sexual entertainment venues are ‘unregulated’.

A council spokesperson said: “The council has made a resolution to licence sexual entertainment venues but implementation of this has been delayed because of the pandemic. At present, assuming any premises wished to sell alcohol, they would still have to apply for a premises licence and obtain permission for adult entertainment.”

Licensing laws state that activities held in premises could be taken into account when considering whether it made the venue unsuitable for the sale of alcohol.

When asked whether the Licensing Board could refuse an application purely on the activity itself, rather than in the context of selling alcohol, the spokesperson said: “That would be a decision for the Licensing Board to consider in light of any representations or objections made.”