Licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues

Overview

The Scottish Government has introduced legislation which allows councils to license ‘Sexual Entertainment Venues’ (SEVs).

The intention behind the legislation is to prevent crime, ensure the safety of staff and customers and prevent nuisance. Please see the 'Background information' document attached below for more information and explanation.

The definition of a SEV is provided by legislation, and relates to premises providing 'sexual entertainment' - often referred to as ‘lap dancing’. 

This consultation asks whether Sexual Entertainment Venues should be licensed in the city. If the Council decides that these premises should not be licensed, the venues will continue to operate as they do currently.

Adoption of the powers to license SEVs does not imply approval of these types of premises by the Council.

Premises used as massage parlours or saunas are not included in this legislation or in the definition of sexual entertainment, and will not be affected by these proposals.

Why your views matter

The aims of the consultation are:

- to seek views on whether the Council should adopt these powers; and

- to gain a broader understanding of community views on the potential shape of a licensing system for Sexual Entertainment Venues, if it was introduced.

What happens next

Responses will be reviewed and a report will be presented to a future meeting of the Regulatory Committee for consideration.