Edinburgh's endeavors to implement a new licensing scheme for strip clubs have once again stumbled into delays, as the council disclosed the need for additional legal counsel. This admission follows their persistent pursuit to close down the city's strip clubs, despite the staggering expense incurred by taxpayers—a hefty £208,000 bill footed for the failed previous attempt.
Originally given until year-end to secure a license from the local authority, the four strip clubs in the Capital now face a deadline extension of nine months, a delay from last year's set timeline. However, a crucial vote determining the number of permitted clubs in the area has been postponed for three months due to a second public consultation. The councilors, convened on Monday, 4 December, agreed to seek further legal advice owing to the influx of consultation responses.
This latest setback emerges subsequent to a legal triumph by a coalition of lap dancers and adult entertainment establishments, overturning the council's prior attempt to close all strip clubs by capping the allowed number at zero. The Court of Session ruled in February that the 'nil cap' was unlawful, a decision reinforcing the contention presented by venues and performers, backed by sex workers.
Despite this legal repudiation, the regulatory services manager for the council highlighted that while the judge rejected the specified number, the underlying policy remained intact.
Critics, including campaigners and certain councillors, persist in their assertion that Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) perpetuate exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking, advocating for their prohibition. However, Greens councillor Susan Rae contended that the argument positing a ban as a means to curb violence against women lacks substantial statistical backing.
Performer voices echo concerns over the potential ramifications of club closures, warning of a possible shift into clandestine sex work and the financial strain jeopardizing their ability to afford childcare.
Expressing distress over the ongoing uncertainty, Saphire, a dancer at an Edinburgh strip club, conveyed frustration, stating, "Having to endure more months of ambiguity is deeply unsettling. It's unfair that a decision we've awaited for so long could be altered on such short notice."
Cllr Susan Rae raised concerns about the delay and the escalating legal fees, only to be rebuffed during the meeting. She intends to pursue this matter with the Convener, expressing dismay over what she deems an unnecessary and anxiety-inducing delay.
Audrey, a spokesperson for the United Sex Worker’s Union, expressed disappointment over the extended and arduous process, emphasizing the turmoil faced by club workers amidst economic hardships. She criticized the council's allocation of funds toward rendering over 100 individuals unemployed instead of investing in the community, particularly the women employed in these establishments.
Responding to inquiries, a council spokesperson cited the inundation of consultation responses as the reason behind seeking additional legal advice, leading to the deferment of the report's presentation to the subsequent meeting in March 2024.