Eden 2 lap dancing bar applies for new sexual encounter venue licence

A seafront lap dancing club has applied to Blackpool Council for the renewal of its ‘sexual encounter venue licence’.

The application has been lodged with Blackpool Council’s licensing hub by club owner Ashley Sayers and is awaiting a decision after potential objectors had until September 24 to make any comments.

Eden 2 is based at 96 Promenade Blackpool and is an established venue in the town.

The document states: “If granted this will allow the premises to operate as a sexual encounter venue. from Thursday to Sunday from 2pm to 5am.”

The licence must be renewed annually following changes in legislation which came into force in 2012.

The application will be considered before a decision is made by the council.

There are currently three lap dancing venues licensed to operate in Blackpool: Eden Two, Heaven, and Sinless .

B;Blackpool Council has stated that it is looking to phase out sexual entertainment venues in an effort to make Blackpool more of a family resort – and to support efforts to reduce violence against women.

But supporters of the venues say closing down established premises would put women at more risk by forcing dancers to work at unlicensed venues, which would offer less protection.

Chelsea Ferguson, a former lap dancer turned entrepreneur said: “Women should be able to choose freely how to earn a living.

“Instead, I fear that within a few years, strip clubs in the UK may cease to exist – along with opportunities for women – all because of a few busybody politicians who think they speak for an entire sector of women that they know nothing about.

“But stripping wouldn’t disappear, it would just be more dangerous for the women.

“Clubs have security, CCTV and strict rules to keep dancers safe, but those safety nets would vanish overnight and that’s really scary.”

Blackpool Council previously said: “Although the number of premises in the policy has been reduced to zero, we currently have three licensed premises and they will be able to continue as long as they comply with the legislation and licence conditions.

“This means from the point of view of existing venues, nothing has changed by the policy that was introduced in 2021.

“However once the licence is surrendered or revoked, any new application would be considered against the limit of zero.”