Sex entertainment licensing guidance out for consultation

Draft ministerial guidance to support the new non-mandatory licensing regime for sexual entertainment venues such as lap dancing clubs has been published for consultation. 

The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 will allow local authorities to license such venues under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, giving local control by permitting local authorities to reflect the views of their communities in determining whether sexual entertainment venues should be licensed within their areas and if so, how many and under what conditions.

Where a local authority determines to license sexual entertainment venues, any premises which fall within the definition will require to be licensed with only very limited exemptions.

In carrying out its licensing functions, a local authority must have regard to guidance issued by ministers. This new consultation invites views on the draft non-statutory guidance which has been developed.

The prime intention of the guidance is to help ensure that sexual entertainment takes place in safe and regulated environments. It is a technical document to support the operation of the new licensing regime seeking to explain the legislation in layman’s terms.

Click here to access the consultation. The deadline for responses is 7 February 2018.