Cheltenham strip club licence approved by council

Under the Prom will now open during the Cheltenham Festival and November race meetings

A controversial bid to renew a strip club's licence to open during a popular horse racing week has been approved.

Under the Prom was granted a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence by Cheltenham Borough Council.

This will allow them to open during the Cheltenham Festival in March, and also during November evening meetings.

Women's rights groups had opposed the decision, arguing lap-dancing clubs reinforce "the idea that men are entitled to access women's bodies".

European Events Consults Limited's current licence for the venue runs from 7 February 2023 until 6 February 2024.

The council's approval now means it is the second licensed SEV allowed to open during the Cheltenham Festival in 2024.

At the licensing sub-committee meeting on 17 January, concerns were raised that where such venues operate, there are inherent harmful risks that cannot be mitigated.

'Sexually objectified'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a total of 12 letters of objection were lodged while 48 people supported the proposals to renew the license.

Among those who spoke against the proposal were representatives from Gloucestershire Women's Liberation Collective and Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

They said: "Lap dancing clubs where women are sexually objectified and the idea that men are entitled to access women's bodies is reinforced, [this] contributes to harmful sexist and misogynistic attitudes that underpin the endemic abuse, harassment and violence against women and girls in society".

The venue at 109 Promenade, Cheltenham, will now stay open until 05:00 GMT during race week

However, performers who have worked for European Events Consultants Limited, known as Eroticats, spoke in favour of the licence and of how well their venues are run.

One employee who did not wish to be named, said: "I've worked for more than a decade in 30 different clubs in the UK and others abroad.

"Eroticats is without doubt the most organised, safe and well run organisation I have encountered."

"If I did not wholeheartedly believe in this licensed business to be safe and fair I would not be here today," she added.

Under current laws, an SEV is exempt from needing a licence if they are open on no more than 11 occasions a year, provided that each occasion lasts no longer than 24 hours and that there is a gap of at least one month between each occasion.

On approving the license renewal, Councillor Simon Wheeler said: "While the government consider this an acceptable and legitimate business I would far sooner see this run on a regulated basis rather than go to an exempt business where we have no control."