Brum lap-dancing clubs left out of pocket by Tories

Oct 8 2010 by Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail

“I suspect that people have been told that they are not to be seen anywhere drinking champagne or acting in an undignified manner. It’s fair to say that the adult entertainment industry has been disappointed by lack of support from the Tory Party conference.

“I think people have been told that this is a time of austerity and to be more restrained. In the old times, this would have been seen as one of the biggest weeks of the year.”

National newspapers reported this week that the Age of Austerity had put paid to one of the highlights of the political conference social scene, with Lord Strathclyde’s annual soiree – so lavish the champagne is traditionally stored in ice in the bath – cancelled.

A well-known Birmingham Tory said: “Yes, it was a very sober conference. You can’t really announce a wide range of spending cuts and then go off knocking back the champagne in lap-dancing clubs.”

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce spokesman John Lamb said: “These are austere times but it seems a pity that one of Birmingham’s leading industries is being hit like this.

“Any area of commerce in a city like Birmingham hit through people cutting back is to be regretted.”