“No lapdancing clubs, please” plea from Rotherham Council

Applications for new sex entertainment venues must still be judged but RMBC will have a general policy that there should be none from July 1.

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, cabinet member for community safety, said the process had given her a greater understanding of the potential effect of such venues on employees and the community.

“This has been quite a journey,” she added. “It has opened my eyes from what can look like a bit of fun to something where there are some real inequalities happening and exploitation as well.

“We did get some testimony of some quite horrific experiences.”

The policy also strengthens safeguards for employees in the sex entertainment industry to protect from exploitation.

Venues must have clear codes of conduct in place and a workers’ welfare policy including anonymous whistleblowing arrangements.

Renoirs & Rouge, Rotherham’s only lapdance bar, has vowed to reopen before the new policy comes into effect. 

Existing clubs on July 1 are given a 12-month transitional period to comply with the new scheme.

The policy does not limit the numbers of sex shops, applications for which will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Feedback showed members of the public had no issue as long as the outlets were on industrial areas.