Erotic shows out of bounds in South Ayrshire

Jul 10 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

DOUGLAS CAMPBELL: Public morals.

ANN GALBRAITH: Grey areas.

ALEC OATTES: Corporate evenings.

IAN DOUGLAS: Title fights.

NO LAP dancers. No pole dancers. No strippers.

Nothing, in fact, that could be called ‘adult entertainment‘ will be permitted.

That’s the draft policy statement of South Ayrshire Licensing Board.

It comes following a public consultation on a number of controversial issues.

And the draft policy itself now goes out to further consultation.

The board received 40 letters supporting a move to allow adult entertainment. But they also received 101 letters against.

The board had weighed up Ayr’s declining entertainment sector against moral arguments.

And chairman Councillor Douglas Campbell admitted: “It’s difficult to be arbiters of public morals.”

Board member Councillor Ann Galbraith agreed: “It’s not easy. There are grey areas.”

Councillor Alec Oattes asked: “Where does this leave strippograms and corporate burlesque evenings?”

Licensing policy officer Morag Douglas said some might be OK, but others not.

She pointed out: “Generally the entertainment (in the case of strippograms) is not organised by the licensed premises, but by people attending. If it was done in a light-hearted manner in an adult-only environment, it might be acceptable.”

But of both strippograms and burlesque dancing, she added: “If it involves nudity, it’s not likely to be acceptable.”

The board’s definition of ‘adult entertainment’ is: a person performing an act of an erotic or sexually explicit nature, which is provided mainly for the sexual gratification or titillation of the audience.

Another controversial aspect of the policy is a ban on boxing in licensed premises in South Ayrshire.

Councillor Ian Douglas asked: “If Ayr Racecourse wanted to stage a title fight, we wouldn’t permit it?”

Councillor Campbell confirmed that is the case. And, in additon, boxing is not permitted in any halls or premises owned by South Ayrshire Council.

The rulings came as a result of unsavoury disorder among rival supporters of boy boxers. But it could be revised, and Councillor Douglas won support for his view: “I would have no problem with properly controlled boxing.”