Lap-dancing clubs increase while library numbers drop
 

Lap-dancing clubs, casinos and betting shops are increasing in number in the UK, while the number of libraries and schools is falling, new figures show.
The statistics have been called a modern day Domesday Book, with critics saying it shows the “decline of traditional Britain”. The number of lap-dancing clubs has increased from 24 to 300 since 1997, but the number of public libraries has shrunk by 6 per cent in the same period.

Schools, police stations, hospitals and public toilets have also become a rarer sight on the nation’s streets, the figures show. The figures also signify a drop in the number of sport and social clubs.

Tory Communities spokesman Justine Greening said: “Labour has presided over the decline of traditional Britain and watched as our local communities are damaged. “Thanks to a decade of Labour, local neighbourhoods have lost access to essential local services and facilities.” She added that rural communities had been hardest hit.

The figures were produced by the Valuation Office Agency as part of the latest revaluation of business rates. A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said surveys suggested most people were happy with their communities.

Earlier this month the Home Office announced that local people will be given new powers to appeal against lap-dancing clubs in their area. Currently residents can object for licensing reasons only, such as crime and disorder, nuisance, public safety and protecting children. But from April people in England and Wales will be able to oppose an application for a club on the basis that it would be inappropriate for the local area.

Last week a former lap dancer told The Times that girls younger than 18 are pushed to perform sexual acts on men in lap-dancing clubs in order to make the job pay. In a candid interview an ex-lap dancer called Milly shattered the myth that the practice “is no more than dancing”. “No one sticks to that,” she said. “And if you do, you quickly lose out.”

But in 2008 the owner of a lap-dancing club chain claimed that his clubs were no more sexually stimulating than a disco.

http://www.christian.org.uk/news/lap...-numbers-drop/

Well of course. That makes sense. Lap dancing and casinos are businesses can give you huge profit. Its not just in Britain, its all over the world. You dont expect Police stations to go up, why would they? Those are standard structures, like schools, hospitals, or libraries. There arent gonna be going up for sure. The internet is a big reason for libraries not going up as well. The demand for that is obviously gonna be lower than it used to be.

This silly notion about traditional Britain, being all conservative is so laughable. Britain has always been one of the most progressive societies in the world, where most of the trends started from. Its not, and has never been, one of the conservatives societies in the world.
It has nothing to do with the government in place. Either one would have resulted in the same thing, in that area.

I dont see this being surprising, or disconcerting at all. Its pretty normal to me.

Nothing normal about sleazy lap dancing clubs that exploit women, nor casinos that exploit addiction and increase debt and family strife for profit.

Libraries could have been at the forefront of the internet revolution but have been neglected.

Fair enough, if youre religious, you will find it all weird and decadent. But no one is forced forced to be a lap dancer, and its a profession like any other. I am religious too, but I am not in any delusion that the rest of the world is. YOu are under the naive assumption that Britain is some Christian traditional country. Its not! Go talk to people. Not only are they not religious, but a huge amount, dont believe in god at all. In Great Britain, more than most countries in the world.

Thats why I call it normal,because it reflects people's beliefs and values. This is a society very much driven by money. :)

"Last week a former lap dancer told The Times that girls younger than 18 are pushed to perform sexual acts on men in lap-dancing clubs in order to make the job pay. In a candid interview an ex-lap dancer called Milly shattered the myth that the practice “is no more than dancing”. “No one sticks to that,” she said. “And if you do, you quickly lose out.”"

It is not about religion and i am not sure why you mention it (?) it is about legality, decency and making sure our communities are fit and safe for families to live in. It is about what messages we send out about what we want our society to be like.

lap dancing and prostitution lead to exploitation of women, it also leads to a variety of other underworld activity.

"You strictly lose out"? On what? More money than the huge amount you already make? Cmon!
Look, I am sorry, but I believe that's that particular individual's greed. When I was going to college at Arizona, I knew some of the girls that where Lap dancing, and made a lot of money doing it. I am sure, a small percentage, might perform sexual favors, but thats only because they decided to do it. It has nothing to do with the business. I know its strictly forbidden and you can even get fired if youre caught. People who work in strip clubs make £2000 and more a week, strictly dancing. If they are so greedy, they want to do more, that's the person, not the establishment.

But fair enough, that's your opinion on the matter. Just giving you my 2 cents about it, from what I know.

I will believe the lap dancer that the Times spoke to. lap dancing in the USA may be a lot more vanilla than the seedy filthy UK scene that is intermingled with prostitution and exploitation.

I buy books and get my lap dances for free.

/fair trade

strip clubs dont exploit women its there choice to get there kit off aint it

Don't be naive

Whats the big deal if the Tories win the next election they will close a few lap dancing clubs(they dont use) down.

As you say in your OP the Home Office(under the current Labour Government) has announced changes in the license scheme whereby locals can object to the issue and renewal of licences from April.

Can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would want to compare lap dancing and library statistics as one is mainly for knowledge and academic while the other is for adult entertainment....

I agree any expoitation of young women or under age girls should be stamped on other wise consenting adults should be allowed to get on with what consenting adults want to get on with.......No need to close just ensure they are run properly.....


We have a government with quite a lot of religious addicts at the for front of power and that is the real reason for stricter regulations that will in effect allow councils to be holier than though and deny adults their adult life.......

What about the exploitation of the men who use these clubs? Poor sods no one seems to care about them being fleeced.

Poor sods - hope they get totally fleeced! :hugesmile:

Well thats the sort of comment I didnt expect from you Wombai, seriously the girls get exploited, the customers get exploited, the only people to make on the deal are the owners.

Because its a sad indictment of the men and women if paying for a woman or a man to dance in skimpy clothes for them is what they get their rocks off to. And yes they do get ripped off, some clubs charge membership fees, entrance fees, and then the drinks are overpriced as well.

Dont know about the other side of the border but in some areas of Scotland local authorities actually stringently monitor these clubs and local police regularly check them. Maybe its the kirk upbringing of the councillors and police or maybe its they like watching scantily clad women gyrate for others.

And its not the only way for many of the women to make money, its the easiest and in some aspects its fairly safe. In a lot of cases they make a lot of money for very little work.

There will of course be the seedier side to this form of establishment, which should be restricted. Proper regulation of the encounter industry should be introduced, bearing in mind in some cases this will be a two edged sword, it will protect all in the industry but regulations and licencing would mean illegals wouldnt be able to work there.