Sex entertainment venues (SEVs) in the Highlands will soon be required to hold a licence, following a decision by the council’s licensing committee.

Councillors unanimously backed licensing SEVs, and will now take steps towards implementing the regime from 2023.

There is currently only one SEV in the Highlands, the Private Eyes Gentleman’s Club in Inverness.

The licensing decision was made following a public consultation which attracted 442 replies from both individuals and organisations, with 64 per cent supporting the introduction of licences.

People in favour feel it would reduce exploitation of SEV workers and encourage better working conditions. They also say it would help diversify nightlife in the Highlands and bring the area in line with other areas of Scotland.

Committee chairman Andrew Jarvie told members he believed they should be proactive on this issue.

“Looking at everything, and the holes in the existing licensing regime, I think there should be a licence,” he said.

“We may only have one SEV now, but if two or three applications come in we can’t retrospectively introduce a licence.”

Officers will come back to committee with a draft policy and application forms for consideration.

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