Cheltenham Borough Council has formally adopted a revised policy tightening the licensing of strip clubs, following a vote in June and extensive public consultation. The updated Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) policy, originally established in 2020, aims to bolster public safety, improve the welfare of performers, and ensure comprehensive regulatory oversight within the town’s evening and night-time economy.
Despite previous calls for a full ban on such venues, including concerns raised by former MP Alex Chalk about their impact on local businesses and community atmosphere, the council has ruled out a blanket prohibition. This decision reflects the reality that national legislation permits venues to offer limited sexual entertainment occasionally without local control, rendering an outright ban legally impractical.
The council’s strengthened approach focuses on regulating SEVs especially where establishments are located in sensitive areas or near premises with sensitive uses. This framework enforces strict operational standards and maintains tight licensing controls to monitor active venues, safeguarding community interests.
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Cabinet Member for Safety & Communities, Councillor Jamie Jamieson, emphasised the balance the new framework achieves: “The framework balances lawful leisure operations with robust community protection. By maintaining structured regulations, we can continue to prioritise transparency, public safety, and rigorous enforcement across the borough.”
Earlier, Liberal Democrat Councillor Victoria Atherstone expressed her full support for the changes, describing the policy as “the strongest, safest policy we could put forward at this time.”
The revised policy reflects the council’s commitment to a measured regulatory stance, ensuring that Sexual Entertainment Venues operate within clear guidelines to promote safety and community well-being without resorting to an unenforceable total ban.