Researchers investigated lap-dancing (file picture)

by Andy Gray

It has taken a year and £118,000 of taxpayers' money to determine what some might argue was a foregone conclusion - lap-dance and striptease clubs are not welcome near schools.

Research into the effects of sexual entertainment venues on towns and cities was carried out by the University of Kent's School of Social Policy.

The £118,000 project - Sexual Entertainment Venues and the management of risk - was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, a non-departmental public body that receives most of its funding through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

It canvassed residents in Maidstone, Lincoln, Newcastle and Brighton due to the variety of nighttime venues in each area.

Not surprisingly, it found 83% of respondents felt lap-dancing clubs are not appropriate near schools or nurseries.

Nearly 1,000 people completed the online survey, which was designed to challenge the negative image attached to lap-dance venues.

Lead researcher, Professor Phil Hubbard (pictured right), said: "Opposition to lap-dancing venues appears mainly based on perceptions that clubs normalise sexism and promote anti-social behaviour rather than any direct experience of crime.

"Our study did not uncover any evidence that these clubs cause more nuisance or crime than any other night-time venues."

Maidstone council's decision in 2011 to adopt the Local Government Act relating to the licensing of sexual entertainment venues was given as another reason for the town's inclusion.

The act gives local authorities the power to close any lap-dancing club which does not hold a sexual entertainment venue licence.

The survey, reportedly the first of its kind to study the regulation of 241 lap-dance and striptease clubs in England and Wales, found most local authorities have adopted the new powers.

Prof Hubbard said: "Some local authorities have gone so far as to suggest that no new clubs will be permitted, indicating that there are no suitable localities within their boundaries for such clubs."

The figures fleshed out

• 83% of people felt lap-dancing clubs are inappropriate near schools or nurseries.
• 65% didn’t want them near religious buildings.
• 3% thought lap-dancing clubs were suitable in residential areas.
• About one in 10 thought lap-dancing clubs should be banned.
• People aged over 40 were found to be less tolerant of lap-dancing clubs.
• About one in three respondents claimed to feel reasonably or very unsafe walking in the city at night.

Last year, Maidstone's licensing committee rejected applications for proposed sexual entertainment venues in Gabriels Hill and Bank Street.

Players Gentleman's Club in the High Street remains the town's only licensed lap-dancing establishment.

The survey showed 55% of respondents felt lap-dancing clubs were only appropriate in town and city centres.

Paul Alcock, chairman of Maidstone Town Centre Management, said: "This survey is a total waste of money because they are actually telling us the flaming obvious.

"Most people don't want lap-dancing venues where kids can see them.

"The place for this sort of club is at the bottom of the high street or somewhere out of the way."