Community Perceptions of Lap Dance Clubs and Licensing Laws

1. 2nd Bi-Annual Postgraduate Sex Work Conference 19th January 2011 Community Perceptions of Lap Dance Clubs and Licensing Laws Joanne Mitchinson Department of Social Sciences, Sociology and Social Research University of Kent Supervisors: Profs Phil Hubbard & Kate O’Brien

2. Context: Lap Dance in the UK • UK industry burgeoned since 1990s • Estimated 300+ clubs in the UK • Concerns over nature & impact of clubs • New optional licensing laws in 2009 • Councils currently in decision making/implementing process regarding licensing.

3. Context: UK-Based Research • Dancer motivations & experiences • Exploitation/empowerment debates • Actions and interactions within the club environment • The commercialisation and mainstreaming of lap dance • The regulation and licensing of the lap dance industry • Opposition to lap dance clubs pre-new licensing • Client motivations

4. Research Aims • Explore how residents and businesses perceive lap dance clubs in their area and more generally. • Investigate the experiences of residents and businesses living or working near a lap dance club. • Identify which factors may shape perceptions about local lap dance clubs and lap dance more generally. • Investigate how residents and businesses understand and interpret lap dance. • Assess the extent to which the public are awareof licensing changes and any impact this may have on them, the area or clubs. • Address any implications the findings may have regarding the way current government licensing strategies are informed.

5. Manchester & Cheshire East Councils • Neighbouring councils with different characteristics. • Both in the process of adopting the new licensing laws. • Very different approaches to lap dance & licensing. • Very different reactions from local residents & interested parties.

6. Manchester • A major city with a history of sexual commerce, commodification & conflict surrounding this. • Six dedicated lap dance clubs in Manchester. • Decided to adopt without a public consultation • No real objection to lap dance clubs from residents or businesses. • Minimal input from local activist groups. • All clubs in city centre – BUT highly visible, high profile locations. Local landmark: massage parlour Manchester’s Gay Village Platform 13 ½ : Soliciting Site

7. Clubs in Manchester: Locations Fantasy Bar: On a major shopping thoroughfare, near historic buildings Victoria’s: Near major shopping centre & leisure facility Silks: Near the Town Hall Baby Platinum: On a busy road & in Gay Village Obsessions: Next to busy commuter station Long Legs: In China Town

8. Manchester’s Approach “...[the licensing] was always something we were supportive of.” Principal Licensing Officer, Manchester City Council “while we had the premises in close proximity to very commanding buildings...the nature of Manchester City Centre is that there, there are changing environments throughout the day, while one area has a quite established use during the day, another has another use at night.” PLO, re: city centre club locations “..there is quite a wide network of community meetings to meet for an area...how we communicate the licensing policy is community officers” PLO, re: informing communities

9. Cheshire East: Macclesfield • Market town with an industrial history • No lap dance clubs in Macclesfield • Decided to adopt with a public consultation • Strong objections to lap dance clubs from residents or businesses • High levels of input from local residents, businesses and Christian groups. • 2010 refusal of license to town centre venue under Licensing Act of 2003. Resident’s protest 2009 Proposed site of lap dance club at bus station & on main street

10. Macclesfield’s Views “Assuming the rules of the club are properly followed and the premise does not operate as a brothel, it is likely that men will leave the premises not only sexually stimulated but also sexually frustrated. Innocent women who may have no choice but to wait for a bus may become vulnerable targets for such pent up sexual frustrations”. HOPE Christian Church Group, re: their understandings and fears “Negative opinions concerning matters of administration and social psychology appear to come from a given minority of highly vocal people in a sub cultural strata.” Resident of Wilmslow, re: proposed licensing “Macclesfield is not hugely populated like, for example, Manchester, where this sort of establishment would be in the city centre away from residential areas. I want to be able to go out for a meal or a drink, in my home town without being offended by such clubs.” Resident of Macclesfield, re: where is and is not appropriate for a lap dance club Excerpts taken from Appendix C and D of Cheshire East’s Draft Policy & Consultation http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/business/licensing/consultation_and_notices.aspx

11. Methods • Mixed-Methods • Residents, local businesses, activist groups, local authorities. • Rating scale questionnaire: identify trends, make comparisons • Interviews: open-ended, develop answers to questionnaires