Strippers march on Hackney Town Hall as trade unionists oppose ban on clubs

‘Nil policy’ would force sex entertainment industry underground, says Hackney TUC

Trade unionists voted unanimously to oppose a council ban on Hackney’s strip joints this week as the clubs’ dancers took to the streets.

Members of Hackney TUC agreed to fight proposals for a ‘nil policy’ on sex entertainment establishments, which would see four strip clubs around Shoreditch and one sex shop in Great Eastern Street close next March, in favour of better working conditions for staff on Wednesday evening (December 8).

They said a ban would drive the sex entertainment industry underground, putting dancers at risk, and argued that regulations should be imposed to protect vulnerable workers.

Meanwhile strippers, bouncers and DJs from the clubs - Browns and Ye Olde Axe in Hackney Road and the White Horse and Rainbow Sports Bar in Shoreditch High Street - marched on Hackney Town Hall this morning (Friday) in a protest at the proposals.

Former erotic dancer Suzanna Slack, who is a member of the GMB branch of the International Union of Sex Workers, said: “It went really well – we had a lot of press and a lot of dancers.

“I felt like there was quite a lot of respect for the dancers.”