Norwich City Council tries to ban Sugar and Spice lap dances

The restrictions at Sugar and Spice in Prince of Wales Road were brought in by councillors last year due to fears about the safety of employees. 

However, the club owners fought back and their appeal was heard by Norwich Magistrates' Court, where dancers said they had never felt in danger at work and did not think lap dancing increased the risk of inappropriate conduct by customers.

The council's decision was overturned, marking a fresh defeat in its recent attempts to crack down on the sexual entertainment industry. 

Sugar and Spice in Prince of Wales Road (Image: Sugar and Spice)

COUNCIL BANS LAP DANCING

The row began during the yearly review of Sugar and Spice's sex establishment licence last March, which saw councillors propose that dancers should not be allowed to sit on or straddle customers at the club. 

Previously, the performers had been permitted do so except when naked. 

This was due to concerns about the extent of contact between dancers and customers and the changes were intended to maintain boundaries and avoid the "blurring" of lines. 

Simon Goodings and Daz Crawford, the owners of the venue, appealed the decision to Norwich Magistrates' Court.

Mr Goodings said: "We have always tried to steer away from the seedy style of some clubs and try to do something more modern.

"We look out for our staff and no one has ever told us they don't feel safe."

The club first opened more than a decade ago (Image: Sugar and Spice)WHAT DO THE DANCERS SAY? 

Norwich Magistrates' Court heard from three Sugar and Spice employees, who said they did not agree that lap dancing increased the risk of inappropriate conduct by customers. 

Grace Walsh, a dancer at the club, said: "I'm more at risk of inappropriate touching on a night out than I am at work.

"Closeness does not increase my vulnerability. I feel more safe when I'm sitting on a customer and there are limited places they can grab me than I do when I'm three feet away."

Representatives for the club appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court (Image: Jamie Honeywood) Emma Hendrick, who supervises the dancers, added: "The girls will dance differently depending on the customer and they can react differently if they feel wary or move themselves further away. I have no concerns about safety."

Norwich Magistrates' Court ruled in favour of the club bosses after hearing from the performers - overturning the ruling made by City Hall to prohibit sitting on or straddling customers. 

Police officers on duty in Prince of Wales Road (Image: Archant) WAR ON STRIP CLUBS

Currently, the four licensed venues in Norwich are Sugar and Spice, Entice and Pure Gold, all located in Prince of Wales Road, and Platinum Lace in Dove Street.

City Hall's licensing rules limit the number of establishments in the city to four but councillors recently revealed their ambition to see this target reduced to zero.

Norwich City Council (Image: Newsquest)

While venues will not be required to immediately close their doors, it is expected that once they do, there will be no replacements.

However, the proposals have led to backlash from business owners who say the authority is being "too uptight" and creating a "hostile environment" for their clubs.

Sugar and Spice is not seeking for City Hall to reimburse their legal fees in an effort to maintain a good relationship with the authority.