Council hopes to phase out city strip clubs

The owner of Entice accused the council of being "uptight"

Strip clubs in a city could soon be a thing of the past after a council revealed its ambitions to see all venues closed.

Norwich city councillors have announced plans to bring an end to the city’s sexual entertainment industry.

The current four licensed venues in Norwich will not be required to immediately close their doors, but it is expected there will be no replacements when they do eventually shut.

However, club owner Tyrese Malik said the authority was being too "uptight" and creating a "hostile environment".

Prince of Wales Road is home to three strip clubs

Currently, the four licensed venues are Sugar and Spice, Entice and Pure Gold, all in Prince of Wales Road, and Platinum Lace in Dove Street.

City Hall’s licensing rules limit the number of establishments in the city to four - two in Prince of Wales Road and two in the wider city area - but councillors now want to see this target reduced to zero.

The council previously broke its own guidance by allowing three venues to operate in Prince of Wales Road.

However, it hoped the updated policy will remove the presumption that more premises should be allowed to open where the limit is not reached - in the wider city area.

Caroline Ackroyd, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Eaton, said: "We’re not doing this on moral grounds, but we have to think about the safety and wellbeing of our communities."

Officials stressed the updated policy would not be a "final answer" when considering new applications, but would set out an "expected course of action".

Some business owners have expressed relief the new policy would limit competition, but others have accused councillors of unfairly targeting their livelihoods.

City Hall has announced a public consultation into the future of the clubs

Mr Malik, owner of Entice, said: "They’re creating a hostile environment.

"Look at the day and age we live in - people can watch what they want and do what they want.

"The council don’t have to be so uptight."

A public consultation into the policy changes will open on Monday and close in November.