The City Council was an objector to the application to Glasgow Licensing Board by ‘For Your Eyes Only’ for an entertainment licence for premises at 23/29 Royal Exchange heard on 1 October 2004.  It had been agreed, at a Council Policy and Resources meeting on 7 September 2004 to object to the licence application because:

‘(a) the Council was specifically concerned about the lap dancing and table dancing elements of the application; and

(b) the Council had in place a range of policies on equality, social inclusion, violence against women and children and prostitution to promote a city in which women were treated with respect and dignity;

(2) intimating that in view of the above stated policies it was proposed that the Council exercise its right to object to the granting of the licence for the activity which was felt to demean and exploit women and was linked to sexual violence; and

(3) confirming that the Council had received requests from a range of organisations and individuals calling for the Council to object to the application on behalf of the citizens of Glasgow.’

As a result of the decision of Glasgow Licensing Board on 1 October to grant ‘For Your Eyes Only’ an entertainment licence, the Council decided to appeal.  The appeal – ‘Glasgow City Council v City of Glasgow Licensing Board and For Your Eyes Only’ was heard at Glasgow Sheriff Court by Sheriff Iain Peebles, QC.  His judgement was delivered to the parties on 5 May 2005.  The decision was to refuse the appeal.

Councillor Jim Coleman, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council was particularly disappointed by the outcome.

He said:

“This means we will have another sleazy strip joint opening in Glasgow.  It’s not the image of our city we want to portray to visitors nor should our residents have to live with this sort of establishment on their doorsteps.

“The Council will do everything within its powers to oppose these ventures proliferating in Glasgow.  We are in discussions with the Scottish Executive about the need for additional powers.”