Independent Edinburgh Escorts

Edinburgh's endeavors to implement a new licensing scheme for strip clubs have once again stumbled into delays, as the council disclosed the need for additional legal counsel. This admission follows their persistent pursuit to close down the city's strip clubs, despite the staggering expense incurred by taxpayers—a hefty £208,000 bill footed for the failed previous attempt.

Originally given until year-end to secure a license from the local authority, the four strip clubs in the Capital now face a deadline extension of nine months, a delay from last year's set timeline. However, a crucial vote determining the number of permitted clubs in the area has been postponed for three months due to a second public consultation. The councilors, convened on Monday, 4 December, agreed to seek further legal advice owing to the influx of consultation responses.

This latest setback emerges subsequent to a legal triumph by a coalition of lap dancers and adult entertainment establishments, overturning the council's prior attempt to close all strip clubs by capping the allowed number at zero. The Court of Session ruled in February that the 'nil cap' was unlawful, a decision reinforcing the contention presented by venues and performers, backed by sex workers.

Despite this legal repudiation, the regulatory services manager for the council highlighted that while the judge rejected the specified number, the underlying policy remained intact.

Critics, including campaigners and certain councillors, persist in their assertion that Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) perpetuate exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking, advocating for their prohibition. However, Greens councillor Susan Rae contended that the argument positing a ban as a means to curb violence against women lacks substantial statistical backing.

Performer voices echo concerns over the potential ramifications of club closures, warning of a possible shift into clandestine sex work and the financial strain jeopardizing their ability to afford childcare.

Expressing distress over the ongoing uncertainty, Saphire, a dancer at an Edinburgh strip club, conveyed frustration, stating, "Having to endure more months of ambiguity is deeply unsettling. It's unfair that a decision we've awaited for so long could be altered on such short notice."

Cllr Susan Rae raised concerns about the delay and the escalating legal fees, only to be rebuffed during the meeting. She intends to pursue this matter with the Convener, expressing dismay over what she deems an unnecessary and anxiety-inducing delay.

Audrey, a spokesperson for the United Sex Worker’s Union, expressed disappointment over the extended and arduous process, emphasizing the turmoil faced by club workers amidst economic hardships. She criticized the council's allocation of funds toward rendering over 100 individuals unemployed instead of investing in the community, particularly the women employed in these establishments.

Responding to inquiries, a council spokesperson cited the inundation of consultation responses as the reason behind seeking additional legal advice, leading to the deferment of the report's presentation to the subsequent meeting in March 2024.

The ban on strip clubs in Edinburgh has raised eyebrows for its nonsensical nature, as the Labour leader of the city council throws his weight behind a second attempt to close down these establishments. What makes this move even more confounding is the staggering legal bill taxpayers were slapped with for the failed first attempt, a hefty £200,000.

Councillor Cammy Day has indicated his administration's intention to once again push for a 'nil-cap' on sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licenses, but the decision is yet to be formalized. Despite this, he is gearing up to advocate for this controversial measure.

The previous decision to impose a zero limit on adult clubs, effectively shutting down the four currently operating in the city, was deemed unlawful when performers and venues challenged it in court. Judge Lord Richardson pointed out that the Regulatory Committee had been "wrongly advised" that the nil-cap wouldn't constitute a ban on SEVs.

It's important to note that the judge's ruling didn't declare the nil-cap itself as unlawful, but rather indicated a "realistic possibility" that a different decision might have been taken had councillors been "properly advised." Shockingly, it has come to light that the cost of defending this policy exceeded £200,000, a revelation made through a freedom of information request.

This considerable sum is split between £102,633 for external legal costs and £105,725 in expenses paid to three Edinburgh strip clubs and the United Sex Workers (USW) union, who were responsible for bringing the judicial review. In response to this, Lib Dem councillor Lewis Younie lamented, "What a travesty that this is the road we traveled down. This council money could have been put to better use in delivering services for Edinburgh's residents rather than being spent in court."

Former Labour city councillor Ross Mckenzie, who defied his group's support for the ban and was subsequently suspended, lambasted the case as a "scandalous waste of public money." He pointed out that this money was used to defend a position that "does not have the majority support of the council."

Despite taxpayers having to foot the bill for this "erroneous" decision, the council leader is intent on urging his group to support a second attempt to close down SEVs in December. However, given the change in the council's political makeup, with a minority of committee members now in favor of the ban, it is unlikely to pass this time.

Councillor Day maintains that his minority administration will finalize its formal position soon. He stated, "I’m firmly of the view that a modern progressive city like Edinburgh doesn’t need these types of venues."

While some argue that the ban on SEVs is intended to protect vulnerable women, others contend that it might have unintended consequences. Some in the industry argue that shutting down these venues could drive performers to work in underground, unregulated environments that may be less safe for them.

One performer expressed concern ahead of the court hearing, stating, "I think it’s extremely important to be reminded that the nil-cap will push dozens of women into either unemployment, an unfit benefits system, or underground, unsafe forms of sex work."

Green city councillor Susan Rae also challenged the argument that an SEV ban would reduce violence against women, noting that it isn't supported by statistics. She argued that the police have shown that closing the clubs could actually increase violence and drive the industry underground.

In light of the ongoing debate and the considerable cost incurred, it's clear that the ban on strip clubs in Edinburgh is indeed a perplexing and costly endeavor that warrants reconsideration.

Gina: Hey, have you heard about the new play at the Traverse Theatre? It's by Kieran Hurley, the same person who did Mouthpiece.

Sophie: Oh yeah, I remember Mouthpiece. What's this new play called?

Gina: It's called Adults. It's basically a comedy about misunderstandings and conflicts between generations, you know, millennials and boomers.

Sophie: Sounds interesting. What's the main theme of the play?

Gina: Well, it's kind of controversial. It's about sex workers, and how this generation's dreams have been shattered. But it's all mixed in with a clash between the two generations.

Sophie: Haha, that sounds like it could be funny.

Gina: Definitely! There's a lot of comedy that comes from that clash, and even some sketches with sexual humor.

Sophie: So, what's the story?

Gina: The story is about this woman named Zara who manages a brothel, and she meets one of her former teachers who becomes a client. He's trying to recapture his carefree life with the help of one of Zara's co-workers.

Sophie: Interesting characters, I suppose?

Gina: Yeah, the actors are good at delivering jokes and funny lines, but some say the characters lack depth. They're kind of stereotypical and not really explored deeply.

Sophie: Like how?

Gina: Well, the teacher is worn down by his life, and the sex workers have their struggles too, but the play doesn't really dive into their internal conflicts.

Sophie: That's a shame. It could have been more impactful.

Gina: Exactly. Instead, the play keeps the comedy going for a while and then ends with a simple and not very satisfying conclusion where they all sort of become friends.

Sophie: Ah, got it. So, it's a bit of a missed opportunity for a deeper exploration of those themes.

Gina: You nailed it. The play aims for social commentary but ends up focusing more on the humor.

Sophie: Well, still sounds like a fun time at the theater though.

Gina: Definitely, if you're up for some laughs and don't mind the shallower side of things.

Sophie: I'll keep that in mind if I decide to catch Adults at the Traverse Theatre. Thanks for the overview!

Gina: No problem, enjoy the play if you do go see it!

Kieran Hurley's play "Adults" brilliantly highlights an intergenerational clash, fostering empathy between boomers (1945-1964) and millennials (1981-1996) in the audience. The story kicks off amusingly as a strawberry milkshake splatters on Iain (Conleth Hill), who's early at Zara's (Dani Heron) flat. Zara, a sex worker, runs her ethical business from home.

In his 60s, Iain, married with grown daughters, is out of his element, set to meet Zara's partner, Jay (Anders Hayward), for sex. Zara recognizes Iain as her former teacher, sparking the character dynamics. Over the next 80 minutes, Zara, Iain, and Jay engage across generations, arguing, blackmailing, and eventually connecting.

The boomer-millennial conflict, fueled by differing perspectives, plays out. Disappointment and resentment arise during Zara and Iain's confrontation in her makeshift brothel. Zara, a literature graduate turned sex worker, resents Iain's generation for secure careers, while Iain envies the younger generation's freedom.

Their debate covers millennial precarity versus boomer affluence, marked by Zara's critique of Iain's nostalgia. Jay's arrival with his daughter escalates the situation. Zara's ethical stance crumbles as Jay reveals financial struggles for custody. Jay's seduction of Iain for money adds complexity.

So we are to have a national conversation on sex work; fair enough. But just to make sure we know our direction of travel, the agenda is clear – to criminalise the buying of sex.

Just before lockdown, while researching a book about the sex industry, I had the opportunity to individually interview six women who work in Edinburgh saunas. Aged between 29 and 56, two were eastern European, one was from the Far East.

"All were confident, forthright, frank and feisty. And they all resented being cast as victims."

But if speaking to the women was a revelation, so were their clients, who were mostly older men. One 70-year-old bachelor has been regularly visiting the same woman for over 20 years. She is his closest friend. There is a lot more loneliness than lust in parts of our sex industry.