South Ayrshire effectively bans sexual entertainment venues by setting the number of licenses to zero following public consultation.
Right now, South Ayrshire has no such places. Officials said only two places had adult entertainment plans before. The new rules cover regular places, but it does not include places with shows less than four times a year. So, places can still have stag or hen parties.
The old government started this in 2019. They asked the public about making a license. In 2020, they agreed to start it in March 2021. The pandemic slowed the work needed. In March 2024, the new government kept going. They set a new date: May 1, 2025. They need to ask the public again first.
They got 20 replies for the study. Groups like the Violence Against Women Partnership answered. Also, the NHS, drug partnership, and police replied. Public replies wanted zero SEVs in South Ayrshire. Some opposed any venues in the area.
The police found no proof such places cause crime. So, they had no opinion on the number of SEVs. But, they wanted to keep them away from kids’ places. They said late crowds could bother neighbors.
The NHS team strongly disagreed. They think licenses cannot stop exploitation or abuse. Other groups agreed with zero licenses, saying no place is okay for them.
Setting the number to zero means this: anyone who wants one needs a public vote. This vote decides if licensing rules should loosen. A report said this matched most public views.
Councilor Bob Pollock said people misunderstood the new vote. He said people thought they wanted to approve such places. He said it is the only way to stop them from opening. He hopes people understand it better now. The cabinet decided to set the number of places at zero.