There’s nothing I like more than a good lapdance. OK, that’s a lie. But a lot of people do enjoy them and I see them as pretty harmless. Spearmint Rhino and Stringfellows definitely have their place on London’s nightlife scene.

However, new licences for lapdancing clubs are due to come into effect next year, in an attempt to curb the spread of strip clubs. This means that all existing lapdancing clubs in London will need to reapply for their licence and the council has the power to close venues that they feel are inappropriate.

I have noticed a lot of new lap dancing clubs opening across the last year or two, such as the new Secrets, For Your Eyes Only, Mayfair Club, Platinum and Club Oops as well as the Red Rooms opening as a strip club Monday-Friday before reverting to its RnB club roots at the weekend.

However, new licences for lapdancing clubs will see them classed as sex establishments and they will be made to renew their licence every year. This means that councils and residents will have more power to get rid of unsavoury clubs. That said, I lived around the corner from Stringfellows for a while and it didn’t really have a negative impact on the area – that came from all the cheap bars and tacky clubs of Leicester Square instead! However, research has shown that the number of lapdancing clubs in the UK has doubled since 2004.

This follows in the wake of potential new reforms announced last week where lapdancing clubs may be ineligible for inclusion on expenses.

Whilst burlesque dancers have won the right to be excluded from inclusion in the strict lapdancing club licensing laws (see Burlesque Ban Protest Camden), it looks like genuine strip clubs are going to have to work a lot harder to ensure they’re above board or face the axe.

Bottoms up!