ALMOST everyone will welcome the change in licensing laws which puts lap dancing clubs on a par with pubs and cafes, which are strictly controlled and where councils have the right to object on grounds of nuisance or public safety. It also makes it much m

ALMOST everyone will welcome the change in licensing laws which puts lap dancing clubs on a par with pubs and cafes, which are strictly controlled and where councils have the right to object on grounds of nuisance or public safety. It also makes it much more expensive for applicants to apply for such a significant change of use.

All this, however, has come too late to be of assistance to the campaign group Lap Off!, who fought to oppose plans to transform a music venue and former Salvation Army hall into a 'club for gentlemen'. Their fight was successful, but it was a more difficult battle than it needed to be given the strength of local opposition, and the nature of the proposal.

But at least should the proposals ever resurface, as could well be the case, the campaigners have a stronger basis on which to object. The law now dictates that their views must be taken into account by the licensing authority.

Arguably, there is a place in society for clubs like these, but premises in the heart of a residential and commercial area like Tottenham Lane are not the ideal location by any stretch of the imagination.