STRIP club owners are worried new guidelines could shut down their businesses, as Government officials label lap dances as "violence against women."

New laws passed by Holyrood could give councils the authority to ban strip clubs in Scotland entirely, according to The Times.

2 The new regulations could abolish strip clubs in certain areas Credit: Alamy

The new regulations will allow councils to set a maximum number of strip club venues in their area, which could be zero.

Draft guidelines set by the official Scottish government strategy deems stripping as an act of “violence against women and girls”.

It classifies “lap dancing, stripping and pornography” as acts of violence, alongside physical and psychological abuse in a relationship, rape, child sex abuse, human trafficking and workplace sexual harassment.

Now a number of women's groups are backing the new regulations, and are calling for the Government to follow Iceland's footsteps and ban strip clubs completely.

Strip club bosses were quick to hit back at the new claims.

Brightcrew, operators of the Platinum Lace chain which has a venue in Glasgow, told The Times that “presumption or even inference” that sexual entertainment is a form of violence against women is “unfair, untrue”and “likely to be unlawful”.

It added: “[Our] performers are all strong, independent, talented women who choose to work in sexual entertainment.

"It is a well-remunerated occupation. It is a form of performance.

2 Bosses behind Platinum Lace strip club in Glasgow have spoke out against the claims

“For a neutral guidance document to start with the proposition that what respectable operators do is a form of violence against women and girls is most strenuously resisted.

“The view of performers about closure will not be that they are being saved from victimhood, but that their own right to equal treatment has been breached by depriving them of their occupation and livelihood.”

"The owner of TGC Leisure Ltd, which runs clubs in Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen, said: “I was granted licences with the understanding if I broke no laws and operated properly I would have licence for lifetime of the business.

"On that basis I bought several buildings and spent my savings refurbishing them.

“How can that be fair, taking away not only my means of living but leaving me with premises unfit for any use, especially in this climate with nightclubs closing and licence trade in decline?”

The rules state that councils are entitled to set a zero limit but decisions may be challenged by established venues under human rights laws which guarantee free expression and the “peaceful enjoyment of possessions”.

Women's organisations have since argued stripping harms all women by promoting objectification of female bodies, is associated with poor working conditions and causes drinking problems among dancers.

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A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “Licensing of sexual entertainment venues does not seek to ban lap dancing or strip clubs but to allow local licensing authorities to decide what is right for their area.

“The Scottish government accepts the freedom of adults to engage in legal activities and employment.

"However, it will continue to promote, through all relevant means, gender equality and actions that tackle out-dated attitudes that denigrate or objectify particular groups or individuals.”

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