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Hundreds of people have backed a campaign to keep Glasgow's lap dancing clubs open amid a consultation that could see them banned completely.

The public are being asked how many 'Sexual Entertainment Venues' (SEVs) there should be in the city - with the council having the power to set a cap on licences issued at zero.

This could see the city's four venues - Diamond Dolls, Forbidden, Platinum Lace and Seventh Heaven - all being shut down as a result.

Campaigners say this could see around 700 dancers lose their jobs, demanding that they have a "right to have autonomy over their own body".

A Change.Org petition has been set up by the The Empowered Woman Project, led by former lap dancer Mandy Rose Jones, and has since amassed around 800 signatures in less than 24 hours.

(Image: UGC)

She claims that SNP MSP Sandra White, who backed the calls for the clubs to be scrapped, "fails to acknowledge" that dancers in Glasgow's venues are "happy, safe and want to keep their jobs."

Mandy, 29, added: "There are around 700 dancers working across Scotland and it’s time she asked them.

"I want to live in a Scotland which is progressive and recognises the right of a woman to have autonomy over her own body."

Speaking on STV's Scotland Tonight programme, the SNP MSP argued "the fact of the matter is women are objectified here. It's sexual exploitation.

"It's high time the objectification of women [at these venues] was stopped and people must be made aware of what goes on in some of these lap dancing clubs."

The #askthe700 hashtag has been set up for the campaign, highlighting the job loss fears as a result of the potential closures.

Sharing one picture with a group of dancers, Mandy added: "I don’t see exploited and vulnerable women who don’t make any money.

"I see empowered and strong women who know what they want to do with their bodies and who want to stay in work!"

The Empowered Woman Project also plan to protest in Glasgow City Centre as part of their campaign.

Dozens of people are set to join in George Square on Saturday, June 22 for the 'Save Dancer's Jobs' event.

Mandy added: "Ten to 15-years-ago dancers were anxious about “outing” themselves.

"Right now, we have an obligation to use our voices to save jobs.

"In less than 24 hours, there are nearly 1000 signatures which shows the momentum behind the campaign to save the clubs."

Workers within the clubs have also become unionised with GMB.

Megara Furie, a GMB rep and former dancer, said: "What these girls are doing is a completely legal occupation, just like any other. If a job was under threat, you would join a union - so why wouldn't performers?

"It's a job with rights to be protected, so the girls unionised with GMB and there has been a great working relationship since.

"The clubs also really welcomed the move and encouraged the girls to join and speak up for their rights - and now with social media platforms there is no chance this will be going down quietly."

The consultation, asking the public's views on the number of SEVs in the city, is open until August 26.

A SEV is defined as 'any premises at which sexual entertainment is provided before a live audience for (or with a view to) the financial gain of the organiser'.

The licence conditions could include full details, names, dates of birth and nationality of performers to be available for inspection and immigration status checks to guard against human trafficking.

Hygienic changing facilities for the use of performers would need to be provided and security measures in place to ensure performers are able to leave safely.

The council could consider the location of premises and how close they are to schools, places of worship, women's refuges, also the character of the area, if it is mostly residential or of historical or cultural importance.

Incidents in the area involving anti-social behaviour, sexual assaults or prostitution could also be taken into account.

The interior of the venue would not be visible from the outside and advertisements would be regulated.

The licensee would be responsible for ensuring there is no physical contact between performers and customers and ensure contact details are not exchanged.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The consultation closes on Monday, 26 August and all the responses received will be put to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee to allow it to make a decision about the future policy development of Sexual Entertainment Venues in Glasgow.

"It would be inappropriate - whilst the consultation process is being undertaken - for us to comment on any of these matters."

A link to the consultation on the Glasgow City Council website can be found here .

You can also view The Empowered Women Project's petition here .