Cheltenham Borough Council has officially adopted a new, more stringent policy governing strip club licences, several months after agreeing on revisions during a full council meeting on 22 June. The updated Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licensing policy replaces the previous framework established in 2020, aiming to bolster public safety, enhance performer welfare, and ensure transparent regulation of venues within the town’s evening and night-time economy.
Despite notable opposition within the historic spa town towards such venues, council leaders have rejected calls for a blanket ban. They highlighted that national legislation restricts the effectiveness of such a ban since venues are legally permitted to host limited sexual entertainment on an infrequent basis without local authority control. Consequently, the council has committed to a strengthened policy focusing on equality and the management of venues situated in sensitive locations or alongside other sensitive uses.
Extensive public consultation and a thorough review process informed the updated policy, which preserves a tightly controlled licensing system to ensure that existing venues are closely monitored. This approach safeguards public interests and enforces strict operational standards consistently across the borough.
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Key changes to the policy stem from multi-stage stakeholder engagement and include heightened provisions relating to premises and equality considerations. Councillor Jamie Jamieson, cabinet member for Safety & Communities, commented: “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 this year, Liberal Democrat councillor Victoria Atherstone expressed her full support for the revised policy, describing it as “the strongest, safest policy we could put forward at this time.”
In 2023, former Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk advocated for the prohibition of sexual entertainment venues in the town, citing concerns that such establishments “harm local businesses, attract antisocial behaviour and can create an intimidating atmosphere.” Debates around pop-up strip clubs have also surfaced regularly during high-profile events like the Cheltenham Festival races.
Nevertheless, the council has ruled out implementing an outright ban, reaffirming that maintaining a controlled regulatory approach is preferable to a zero-tolerance policy. As emphasised by council leaders, this method ensures that all active venues remain subject to oversight, thereby protecting community standards and operational integrity.