Cheltenham: MP wants to see strip clubs banned in town

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said in an e-mail that the venues "harm businesses and attract antisocial behaviour"

The justice secretary has said he wants strip clubs to be banned from his constituency town.

Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk said such venues "harm businesses and attract antisocial behaviour".

His views on Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEV) were aired at the borough council's licensing sub-committee.

In an e-mail from the MP, read out at the meeting on Wednesday, he added: "The time has come to stop such venues opening in Cheltenham altogether."

During the meeting councillors approved a temporary licence allowing a SEV to open, coinciding with Cheltenham Racecourse's November meet.

Many objections were raised against the proposals, along with concerns from a women's rights groups, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Among those who spoke against the plans was Jo Surma, of the Three Counties Women's Rights Network, who told the committee she reached out to Mr Chalk for his opinion on the licence.

She went on to read out the e-mail, which Mr Chalk said she could share with the committee.

The council committee voted unanimously to approve a new licence for a venue during Cheltenham Racecourse's November meet

Ms Surma said: "He said that he has been very clear that he strongly opposes the granting of SEV licences in Cheltenham and has done so consistently since I became MP.

"They harm local businesses, attract antisocial behaviour and can create an intimidating atmosphere. In my view, the time has come to stop such venues opening in Cheltenham altogether."

She said that Mr Chalk went on to say: "Some councillors have claimed that their hands are tied when it comes to sexual establishment venue (SEV) licences and the moral objections are not a basis for rejection.

"I'm afraid that this is misleading and it is not the case that they cannot do nothing."

Ms Surma said the venue should not have been granted the licence as it is outside the designated plan area.

'Safety taken seriously'

Chairman David Willingham confirmed he had written to Mr Chalk, and told the committee that to the best of his knowledge the council has never received an objection from the MP on parliamentary paper.

"He is secretary of state for justice and he is better placed to change this legislation than we are," Mr Willingham said.

After the decision to vary the licence was issued, Mr Willingham said the council takes the issue of women and girl safety seriously.

"We have to comply with the legislation," he said.

"We can evidence that we have tried through various means to get those with the ability to change the legislation to lobby for it to be changed.

"Our MP is currently a minister in government. If he can't get that legislation changed based on his position, secretary of state for justice, I don't think anyone can."

He added: "We want to work to make the town safe."

A spokesperson for Mr Chalk said the MP has a standing objection to SEV licences.

"Cheltenham Borough Council has the power to refuse them but they choose not to," they said.