CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the decision to refuse an application for a lap dancing and striptease venue at The Truth nightclub in Warrington town centre.
More than 20 individuals objected to the application for a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence, while nearly 300 also signed a petition.
The application, which was rejected by Warrington Borough Council licensing chiefs last week, sought to provide lap dancing, pole dancing, striptease and table dancing on the first floor of the premises on Friars Gate, Warrington, from 7 pm to 3 am seven days a week.
Petition organiser, Shelley Blythe said: “I started this Petition and my campaign, my Facebook group put my objections in as I felt very strongly that this kind of venue was not right for Warrington, not on moral grounds, although we do have a lot of Churches, and some Schools and family-friendly venues near, but on grounds that is was not appropriate for the location. It is not in keeping with the Safer Streets campaign and these establishments are gradually being phased out and or closed in other areas such as Blackpool, to make towns more family-friendly and inclusive.”
Cllr Claire Lloyd Fitzgerald, who spoke out at the meeting, said:” As a councillor, I adamantly opposed the establishment of a lap dancing and strip club in our town. Beyond the issue of inappropriate locality, I was deeply concerned about the impact such an establishment would have on the safety and well-being of our community, particularly women and girls.
“Strip clubs often foster an environment that objectifies and exploits women, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and attitudes. Introducing such a venue into our town could not only normalise these attitudes but also increase the risk of harassment and violence against women. It is our duty to prioritise the safety and dignity of all residents, and allowing a strip club to operate goes against that commitment.
“Our town is progressive, I wanted to keep it that way. Allowing this venue into Warrington would feel like a step backwards. I am thankful it’s been rejected.
Miriam Jacobson, a Warrington resident, a support worker with children in conflict with the law and a volunteer with FiLiA, a large grassroots women’s rights charity, said: “I would like to thank the Chair, Cllr. Hilary Cooksey, and the panel for firstly the way the hearing was conducted, in such a highly professional, respectful and thorough manner, and secondly, for their correct (in my view) decision to refuse the application.
“Although Cheshire police withdrew their objection, they still noted that these establishments could undermine the work done under the #SaferStreets Campaign, whose aims are to: reduce violence against women and girls, increase women and girls’ feelings of safety in public spaces and make public spaces safer for all
“There is overwhelming evidence that SEVs make women less safe, less equal and survivors have shared stories of abuse, exploitation and violence, which no amount of conditions can protect against. They are shown to be in conflict with councils’ Public Sector Equality Duty and a large body of research and testimonies confirm that many women fear abuse or feel highly uncomfortable in the vicinity of a strip club. This can be so severe that many women and girls ‘self-exclude’ and avoid the area entirely, which is a breach of women’s human rights to free movement.
“So, although the council unanimously refused to grant the licence on the grounds of locality, (comprehensively so!) I am grateful for the time given to listen to my additional concerns (as above) and especially for their acknowledgement of the inappropriate language used by the applicant and of the potential impact on the women and girls of Warrington and wider society. Maybe licensing committees are waking up to the way women and girls are treated in society and other councils can follow Warrington’s great example.”
