Section 11 – Definitions & Guidance Documentation

(131)

Lap dancing clubs are completely unsuitable here and make women feel unsafe in the town especially in the evenings and at night. They also discourage families from visiting Newquay, due to the nuisance value from the type of customer the clubs attract when they remain in the town next day and the fear of being harassed by them at night.

There are many children living in the central areas of Newquay. They pass these places daily as they are very near schools and children’s clubs. They should not be growing up thinking lap dancing is a normal part of life and nor should they be exposed to the kind of language and behaviour of the clubs’ customers and promotion girls in the streets. The ratio of licences currently held to the number of children living here is startling. It is several times higher than in a much larger town or city.

I ask Cornwall Council to exercise its duty of care towards our children by setting a zero cap for these licences in the centre of Newquay.

It is my understanding that establishments currently holding licences are in close proximity to several churches, schools and meeting places for children’s activities. I do not want to encourage the young people of our town to think that it is morally acceptable that a part of the “sex industry” should be seen as common place or acceptable in our society.

We are advocating a responsible and moral approach to relationships and a respect and dignity for the human person and therefore such places of “adult entertainment” should not be allowed near to children and families trying to raise their children in such a small and popular place as Newquay.

I was born here, brought up here, and am very fond of Newquay. When I was growing up Newquay was such a good class, even high class, resort. Decent people with their families came here for a lovely family holiday, beaches, cafes and walks and evening entertainment at two live shows, (Cosy Nook being one) and three cinemas. We have the best beaches in Europe and it was exceptionally safe and beautiful place to holiday in. Dancing was in the form of ballroom and later disco at the Blue Lagoon and Tall trees. Every good hotel had ballrooms as well as evening dances and tea dances.

The idea of lap dancing is so demoralising and degrading to women. I think it brings about bad behaviour and disgusting language used on our streets. I am very disappointed and upset to think Newquay has fallen so low to have these establishments.

Newquay has experienced a lot of change over the years and sadly, not for the best. We have experienced bad publicity in National Newspapers over alcohol abuse, widespread parties, underage drinking and sadly deaths from teenagers not being aware of their circumstances and surroundings because of the influence of alcohol. We do not need lap dancing added to this mix. We need to drastically improve Newquay’s publicity. So I ask Cornwall Council to feel some real care and responsibility towards families and children and young people of Newquay amd put a zero cap on licences of lap dancing clubs in central Newquay.

More recently I have been following with great interest, (via the local newspapers) the resident efforts to “recapture their town” and in particular the campaign against lap-dancing establishments, and now feel that I want to add my weight to their efforts.

So, I would urge the Licensing Team, when they meet to discuss the granting of the licence to this type of club, to very seriously consider where in the town these operate and not to grant this particular licence to any club that operates in the centre of town.

This is where families on holiday want to wander, where local children on their way to and fro from school linger to buy sweets or whatever, and I really hate to think that they are exposed to the seeing the behaviour and awful language of the club’s customers, and what is worse, the promotion of girls outside.

Whilst the very younger children might not understand, their parents certainly will and that will put them off coming again, but it is very vulnerable teenage girls that I worry about. Whilst you cannot shield them from the seedy side of life, I hate to feel that they would think that it is something they would want to do, and that it is perfectly normal behaviour, especially now that I have found out that “The Girls” have to pay, pay mind you, for the “privilege” of dancing there, so one can’t even excuse it by saying “at least it’s a job!

So please Cornwall Council consider very carefully the wider implications when you discuss these particular licences and set a zero cap for the centre of Newquay.

I consider that this was a misrepresentation of intent and, had I had the right to examine witnesses, I would have called you, as the former Licensing Officer of Carrick DC, to ask your view about the former Council’s intent. I think that you would have replied to my question that the intent was that it should apply to the commercial area known as the ‘town centre’, rather than to the whole town – which extends over a much wider area. There are many parts of any town which are commercially unviable, and it seems to me that it would be pragmatic to leave them out of any zoning policy, if such an approach is deemed desirable. If we wish to impose a NIL policy, which is within our power, then that should apply to the commercially viable zone of the town. I consider that the Licensing Department should undertake a zoning exercise in each Cornish town, partly to identify from residents and business if sex establishments are acceptable. If so, how many, and where! An active zoning exercise, based upon the principle of containment should then be undertaken and consulted upon so that there is, as far as possible, a consensus of consent, and effective spatial regulation.

Any such zoning exercise should look at Cornwall as a whole and consider where, if a NIL policy (or, indeed, any limitation) is to be adopted, it may be viable in non-urban settings, to establish viable premises. I am conscious that many entertainment venues have shown that it is not necessary for them to be situated in towns if there is connectivity, marketing and an audience willing to travel. For instance, I recently attended a very crowded private view of an art exhibition at a place between Manaccan and Helford, on the Lizard. When younger, I used to attend the Folk Cottage, outside Mitchell, some 11 miles from Truro, down a very narrow track. The committee should not discount such possibilities in its deliberations.

Whilst I am absolutely certain that Newquay needs a change of image, in favour of families (and those seeking non-sex establishment entertainment) and that if there were no sex establishments in Newquay (implemented through the zero cap)  this outcome would be achieved, I am also concerned that the Local Authority properly manages what this would mean in practice. This policy is defined by area, which opens up the possibility of ghettos. What we do not want is an overspill area where licences can be granted, just outside the Newquay boundary. The zero cap policy needs to be co-ordinated across the county, with councilllors actively talking to each other and making sure we are not pushing the problem elsewhere, rather than eradicating it.