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Stringfellow lapdance plea to MPs
Ed Harris25 Nov 2008
PETER STRINGFELLOW today insisted his clubs do not offer "sexual encounters" as he urged MPs to reject proposed stricter rules for lapdancing clubs.
He said existing laws gave councils and police enough power to restrict where night spots with nude dancing could be opened.
Giving evidence to the culture, media and sport select committee, he admitted that "not everywhere should have a lapdancing club". But he said his two clubs in the West End were more rigorously controlled than any he had run since 1962. "This isn't a government problem," he told MPs. "There are a significant minority of councillors who do not understand their powers."
A new licensing regime to be unveiled by the Government will see lapdancing clubs, which are currently treated in the same way as pubs, subjected to the same tough rules as sex shops.Mr Stringfellow, 68, told the committee his establishments were "gentlemen's clubs", adding: "I'm not a sex encounter club and I don't want anyone coming in my club thinking they're going to get a sexual encounter."
"Sex encounter licences in the West End are £30,000 per licence. For what? Are you going to stick that on me? I don't desire to be treated that way. My licences are correct and proper."
Reader views (6)
It is clear there is a range of very puritanical minded people who are determined to stop everything that provides any degree of pleasure. This includes smoking, consuming alchohol and banning circus,s with animals. I am convinced there is something very wrong with many human beings who seem to be on a hell bent road to stop life itself. I am totally against the nanny state, its paranoia with surveliance, control and punative fines. Perhaps this resssion will eventually bring some common sense back into living. The alternative is too bad to think of - remember the French Revolution !. Perhaps we will be charged to breathe the air around us and cross the road. This world is rubbish.
- Steve Nicholson, Chorley. England, 11/02/2009 23:56
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It's about time these places were called what they really are - they are sexual encounter places and should not be under the guise of a 'gentleman's club'. These middle aged sad men who work in the city oggle at girls from disturbed backgrounds that are most the time old enough to be their daughters!! What a paradox!! Its not heathy and the veil of respectability should be totally cast off.
- Kez, london, 03/12/2008 13:26
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Why is George visiting lap dancing classes "many times" if he isn't a tourist? And why does he think that the girls only proposition him because they think he is one? I'm confused....
- Andrew Milner, London UK, 26/11/2008 01:56
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...and what part of lap-dancing isn't a sexual experience? Since when is titillation not related to sex, even if only in the mind.
Personally, I have nothing against the soft porn displays for those who get something out of it. But...
Stringfellows don't sound too bright to be coming out with that blatant nonsense, do they?
- Rogan, Irving, 25/11/2008 22:08
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I am not a Stringfellow fan, but he has run a very succesful club that has entertained 100's of thousand of people over decades, many (mostly ?) from overseas. I assume Mr. Stringfellow pays his taxes. The fact that he has some scantilly clad young ladies 'en situ' means nothing. Just buy the Sun or Daily Star newspaper and you can see worse. Stop meddling and get real. Leave the entreprenuers alone, whether its sex or making nuts and bolts.
- Colin Bond, London, 25/11/2008 17:59
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Whatever Stringfellows might say, lap dancing clubs girls DO OFFER sexual services, sometimes on the premises. I should know as I have been openly offered sexual services many times in lap dancing clubs, probably because the girls think I'm a tourist.
- George, London, UK, 25/11/2008 15:51
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