Swansea sex entertainment venues ban

Bellissima next to York Place Baptist Church was the last place to be given a licence

Sex entertainment venues in Swansea have been banned by council officials following a decision to cap their number at "nil".

The policy has been changed from each application being dealt with on its own merits to one where they will "normally be refused".

It covers lap dancing, pole dancing, table dancing, strip shows, peep shows and live sex shows.

Putting a numerical control on the number of venues is allowed by law.

Swansea currently has one venue with a licence for sex entertainment, which runs out in April next year.

A report to the cabinet, which made the decision on Thursday evening, said: "Members have requested that the current policy is reviewed with a view to introducing an appropriate number of nil for sexual entertainment venues in the city centre.

"It is not proposed that an appropriate number will be considered for the other types of sex establishments and any such applications will continue to be dealt with on their merits."

Thomas-Bellis Leisure attracted controversy earlier this year when it was granted a licence for a pole dancing and strip club next to a church in York Street.

But its club Bellissima, which has since changed to bar and lounge venue Club Rouge, has not been able to use its licence as Swansea council is the property's leaseholder and will not agree a change of planning use.

York Place Baptist Church minister, the Reverend Haydn Dennis, objected to the licence stating there were "deep spiritual objections".

More than 1,000 opponents also signed a petition against it.