Bristol council voted down the proposal to ban the strip clubs in Bristol. (SEV) Bristol presently has a cap of three strip clubs, though there are only two. A consortium of 'radicle feminists' have been campaigning to impose a total ban on strip clubs as recently happened in Edinburgh. There have been two public consultations, 2019 and 2021, that received 17,000 submissions. The anti-strip club campaigners argue that these clubs are a gateway to prostitution and fester sexist attitudes that can lead to tragic results
Stripers argue it is just a job, and for many is pays so much more than other jobs, enabling them to lead a comfortable life and bring up their family.
Ultimately, the council’s licencing committee voted nine to one to maintain the current cap of three licenced SEVs.
Various councillors remarked that it was better for dancers to have well-regulated licenced venues rather than forcing strip clubs underground.
Several also noted that there is little empirical evidence linking sex entertainment venues to violence against women and girls.
Green party councillor Guy Poultney received a round of applause when he accused women’s rights groups of arguing “we should discount the voices of some women in order to empower them and to restrict their choices in the name of equality and take away their jobs for their own good”.
Strippers commented.
We hope going forward Bristol Council take this into consideration, and collaborate with the workers to create an SEVs licensing policy that supports their rights, instead of hindering them. Up the f****** workers.