Feminists have welcomed a decision to stop a Cheltenham club from staging lap dancing nights during race week next week.
Massimo Salatino, manager of Fantasy, 12-14 Bath Road, has applied for the licence three years in a row, but this is the first time that he has been unsuccessful.
The committee heard numerous objections based around the welfare of female workers and the impact of the club on the town. But, the licence was finally refused on the grounds that the premises were “dangerously dilapidated” and in an inappropriate location.
Several community figures spoke out against the club’s opening, including Lesley Painter, from the local feminist group, CheltFems, Lib Dem councillor, Flo Clucas, and St Paul’s Road Area residents association (SPRA) chair, Tess Beck.
Ms Painter called on the council to follow the example of Formula 1, who axed ‘grid girls’ last year.
CheltFems tweeted this response to the decision not to license the club:
#TimesUp for Fantasy Lapdancing club #Cheltenham.
This club has been operating during Raceweek for years despite its dilapidated and dangerous conditions.
Thankfully the licensing committee decided enough was enough#PressforProgress #IWD2018— CheltFems (@Chelt_Fems) 8 March 2018
Tess Beck, who chairs SPRA, said that lap dancing clubs “have no place in an equal society because they’re based on men objectifying women.” She went on to describe race week as an “anomaly”, and told us how proud of Cheltenham she is.
Despite Fantasy not opening, there will still be lap dancing venues in the town which don’t need the same licences. 2 Pigs will be converted into an “exotic bar”, and several other venues will also host events throughout the week.
We know several operate under a TEN licence. From what we heard at committee about the dangerous condition of the premises, and from elsewhere about non-payment of performers, having had a licence hadn’t protected staff or customers at Fantasy.
— CheltFems (@Chelt_Fems) March 9, 2018
