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A campaign has been launched to save Glasgow's strip clubs and adult entertainment venues from closure.

More than a thousand have signed the petition against Glasgow City Council's consultation to consider whether lapdancing clubs should require a special permit.

Venues which fail to meet certain criteria could be shut down by authorities – and it's feared hundreds of women working in Scotland's adult entertainment industry could face losing their jobs.

The Empowered Woman Project founder Mandy Rose Jones, who is spearheading the campaign, argues dancers at the clubs are "happy, safe and want to keep their jobs."

(Image: Paul Chappells)

She argues MSP Sandra White, leading the consultation, has previously failed to engage with dancers in the strip clubs first-hand.

The petition reads: "When I was on national TV a few days ago debating the issue with Sandra, she said she hadn’t engaged with dancers many years ago when they petitioned for her to meet with them because she didn't “believe” it came from the girls themselves.

"What she fails to acknowledge time and time again is that dancers in Glasgow’s adult entertainment venues are happy, safe and want to keep their jobs!

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

"Please sign the petition and spread the word! We want as much tangible info as possible to feed into our wider campaign to keep the clubs open."

The Scottish Government believe sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) should be licensed and has advised every local authority to gather evidence to see if the public, workers and businesses agree.

Adult entertainment venues are defined in the legislation as any premises at which sexual entertainment is provided before a live audience or with a view to the financial gain of the organiser.

There is currently no legal requirement for SEVs to be licensed under the 1982 Act in Scotland.

Glasgow City Council would assess the effect these venues have on local communities – including public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, protecting children and young people from harm and violence again women.

News of the consultation has sparked outrage among supporters of the campaign.

Kevin Main commented: "It's important that the government doesn't have the power to tell people how they should live their lives.

Sasha Powell added: "Because women should have the choice, they aren’t doing anything illegal."

Samantha Reynolds wrote: "Your opinion of someone else's livelihood doesn't give you the right to take it away. Unless there will be benefits to replace the wages of these women I highly suggest parliament cease their interest in making them unemployed."

You can visit the petition on Change here.