Two lap dancing venues where staff stripped naked and a bar frequented by football hooligans and condemned for the sectarianism of its patrons are amongst the first in Scotland to fall foul of the country's new licensing laws.
Global "gentleman's club" Spearmint Rhino, rival Seventh Heaven, and The Glaswegian Bar, all in Glasgow, have been denied licences under the new act which comes in on September 1.
The decisions mean they will have to shut up shop on that date unless they appeal to the courts. They have been told the refusal follows evidence collected by licensing standards officers (LSOs), which were newly created under the act to form part of the local authority's general enforcement team. It aims to bring breaches of the law and policies to the attention of the licensing boards.
Glasgow Licensing Board, sitting at the city's Burgh Court, heard how early last month CCTV footage showed two dancers at Spearmint Rhino stripped naked, breaching local policies.
The board heard that "officers whilst conducting an inspection relative to the code of conduct, viewed premises' CCTV and witnessed two dancers removing their lower garments to knee level thereby exposing their genitalia. In a separate incident, officers also witnessed several dancers making considerable contact with patrons whilst performing".
Spearmint Rhino, was also reported for breaching low cost alcohol policies and allegations an employee exposed her breasts while handing out flyers in Glasgow city centre.
Evidence that led to the decision on Friday to refuse the Glaswegian in Bridge Street a licence included allegations of sectarian behaviour, intimidation of LSOs and local residents, and ineffectual management.
The court heard that on one occasion the arrival of the LSOs was announced by the DJ over the speaker system as "The Noise Police" and was followed by customers shouting obscenities about the Pope to the tune of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline while the officers waited to speak to management.
It was claimed that "officers reported the atmosphere to be openly hostile towards them and noted that the management provided little or no assistance causing officers to report the noise and leave".
Nearby residents who complained of "noise issues relative to the singing of sectarian songs" had also "been subjected to intimidating and aggressive behaviour from patrons" to the extent that one Glasgow councillor who objected to The Glaswegian's new licence said he could not speak publicly against the bar through fear of reprisal.
Sources have also told The Herald that LSOs would only attend the venue, the subject of 40-plus complaints, with police protection and that it is a well-known rendezvous point for Rangers' casuals.
On Monday, LSO evidence also resulted in the refusal of a licence under the 2005 Act to Seventh Heaven after LSO evidence that eight dancers had removed lower garments, the board making its decision on the basis that refusal prevents crime and disorder and protects and improves public health.
Both lap dancing venues had explained that the staff involved in the incidents were previously Edinburgh based, where full nudity is permitted, and had been reprimanded while the board said it fully expected appeals to the sheriff.
Craig Bruce, of Rosemount Taverns, owners of The Glaswegian, said the company was "very disappointed with the outcome" and was considering its position.
Stephen Dornan, the recently appointed chairman of the board, said: "As far as Glasgow is concerned we will continue to grant licences subject to our policies. If sheriffs want to bring in sex clubs to Glasgow via the back door that's up to them but we'll continue to refuse."
All three are expected to appeal which, if ongoing by September, allows them to continue trading until there is an outcome.
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