Women's groups speak out over strip club licence

Cheltenham women's rights groups have criticised the decision to grant a licence to a sexual entertainment venue (SEV).

Earlier this month, Cheltenham Borough Council approved plans for Eroticats strip club to open during race days at Jessop House.

GlosWomen said the council appeared "unwilling to engage" with violence against women and girls and how "men buying sexual entertainment is part of the continuum".

The council dispute the claims and says the law allows SEVs to operate, and they would rather have them regulated.

The venue is run by Red Apple Associates Ltd and will open to coincide with race days and the annual Cheltenham Festival.

A spokesperson for GlosWomen said they believe the licence "relaxes licence conditions related to these breaches and continues to allow the club to tout for business in town."

“At the heart of this lack of engagement seems to be the depressing reality that the committee just don’t care about the lives of women and girls," they added.

Some of the concern centres around an amendment to the licensing agreement that would allow bodily contact between customers and performers.

A spokesperson for SafeCheltenham raised concerns that relevant parties were not given time to review evidence and said it "undermined the fairness of the hearing" and "gave the impression of bias."

They added that “Variations should only be granted in ‘exceptional circumstances’. To date we are not aware of any variation request that has been refused.

“The granting of a variation allowing bodily contact between performers is extremely concerning given previous breaches."

Cheltenham Borough Council's Licensing chairman David Willingham said the applicant applied in full compliance and was therefore accepted by the committee who "unanimously agreed there was no unfairness in the process".

Councillor Willingham said the committee was "fully aware" of the concerns raised "particularly those in relation to relating women’s safety".

"It is simply wrong to suggest these issues relating were not considered," he added.

Mr Willingham said extra security and training will go towards alleviating safety concerns and that the council believes SEVs are safer under regulation.