Crime fears scupper plans for new lap dancing bar in Dundee
A fresh bid for a new lap dancing club in central Dundee has been thrown out by councillors over fears it could increase crime in the area.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 17.01.12
- Published online : 17.01.12 @ 05.33pm
The application, spearheaded by Stars Sports Bar, run by local businessman Jimmy Marr, wanted to change the use of Mangos Nightclub in the Seagate into an adult entertainment venue.
However, Katherine Sharp of the action group Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership voiced her strong opposition to the ''undesirable'' development.
In a statement delivered to Dundee City Council's development management committee she warned the move would result in an over-provision of adult entertainment venues in the city and could create a problem with prostitution in the surrounding area.
She continued: ''Lap dancing is harmful to the women involved. They are often verbally abused by men and propositioned for sex. Support of this application would be contrary to the council's duty to protect women and goes against its equality policy as it would support one gender over another.''
Ms Sharp said research had shown crime, or fear of crime, increases in areas in which lap dancing clubs exist.
She added: ''The ready stock of alcohol at these clubs can make it very unsafe for women. Afterwards many men use public transport and cause problems to women on their way home.
''If approved this application would set an undesirable precedent that goes against the public interest.''
Stars Sports Bar proposed operating a public house on the ground floor and a separate adult entertainment venue run out of the basement from 10pm until 2.30am with both male and female performers.
The council's director of city development, Mike Galloway, warned the committee that although a number of moral issues had been raised it was the duty of members to make a decision based only on planning considerations.
He said the fear of increased crime, as mentioned by Ms Sharp, could be taken into account as this was not a moral issue but material consideration.
Maryfield councillor Ken Lynn moved to refuse the application, adding that he viewed the plans with genuine distaste.
He was seconded by Richard McCready, who said: ''We have to consider the vision for our city centre and ask is this something that we want?''
All councillors agreed to the motion that went against the recommendation made to them by city planners. The Courier was unable to contact the applicant for reaction.
07.59am - 18.01.2012 Ex Dancer - Aberdeen, ANGUS Report This
Bravo we are trying to show Dundee as a positive city to come to . I agree that clubs such as this are degrading and dont give the city the image we want to show . I know what ms Sharp says to be true woman are hounded and often abused after these clubs close.
09.20am - 18.01.2012 LM - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Good. Lap dancing clubs are exploitative to all involved.
11.17am - 18.01.2012 Cormie - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Refused on the basis that the Councillors don't like the idea of it, highlighting a concerning amount of power based on moral opinion. Is there evidence of violent crime and abuse at Dundee's other Lap Dancing Clubs? There are already laws in place to protect women. Enforce them.
01.45pm - 18.01.2012 Concerned Citizen - Dundee, Scotland Report This
So happy this was refused!
12.50am - 19.01.2012 Jobs For The Boys - Dundee, UK Report This
If this is the case why was there ever any other licences granted for the previous lap dancing clubs that were in Dundee until recently? .I think if prostitution was given an exclusion zone that would help with Assualts on Women .Works in Aberdeen Amsterdam too .Live n let live with lap dancers club
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