MP in heaven at law-change victory (From Stourbridge News)

MP in heaven at law-change victory

12:06pm Tuesday 9th December 2008

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STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho is celebrating the news that lap-dancing licensing is to change in the wake of a high-profile campaign.

The Labour MP launched the campaign with Object back in April as current legislation has prevented people from being able to object to plans to open up lap-dancing clubs on their doorstep.

The campaign has made headlines across the county and was even the focus of a C4 Dispatches documentary, which saw an undercover reporter getting up close and personal with dancers at Stourbridge lap-dancing club Heaven.

And now mum-of-two Lynda is celebrating victory after the Government announced that lap-dancing clubs will be re-classified as ‘sex establishments’ such as sex shops and sex cinemas, rather than licensed in the same way as cafes and karaoke clubs.

The MP said: “This should really empower local communities and let them have more of a say over their local area.

“A lot of people have contacted me, from Stourbridge and across the country, to add their support to the campaign, and the announcement is a fantastic victory for everyone who has worked so hard on this. I’m delighted.

“I always thought it was ridiculous that you could object to your neighbour building a porch next door, but couldn’t object to a lap-dancing club opening on your street.

“This will allow local authorities to consider a wider range of community interests when they decide whether or not to grant a licence.”

The announcement was made in the cross-Government document ‘Fair Rules for Strong Communities’ and will be included in legislation in the Policing and Crime Bill later this parliamentary session.

And MP Lynda is hopeful the changes will become law within a year.

Alistair Rose, owner of Stourbridge gentlemen’s club Heaven in Lower High Street, who has just renewed his licence for another 12 months, said: “Obviously it’s a victory for Mrs Waltho, but we’ll have to see how it’s going to affect us when it filters down to local government. The whole business is already very well regulated.”

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