By Gerry Braiden
TWO Glasgow lap dancing clubs where girls stripped naked have lost their licences.
The venues are among the first in Scotland to fall foul of the country's tough new licensing laws.
Global 'gentleman's club' Spearmint Rhino, in Drury Street, and rival Seventh Heaven, in Elmbank Gardens, have both been denied licences.
The action was taken under the new Act which comes into force on September 1 and they will have to shut up shop on that date unless they appeal to the courts.
The clubs have been told they have been refused permission to trade following evidence collated by licensing standards officers (LSOs).
The clubs are expected to appeal which allows them to continue trading until there is an outcome.
In the first case the licensing board heard how last month CCTV footage showed two dancers at Spearmint Rhino had breached local policies by stripping naked.
At Glasgow's Burgh Court, the board heard that "officers viewed premises' CCTV and witnessed two dancers removing their lower garments to knee level".
The report continued: "In a separate incident, officers also witnessed several dancers making considerable contact with patrons while performing."
Spearmint Rhino was also reported for breaching low-cost alcohol policies and allegations an employee exposed her breasts while handing out flyers in Glasgow city centre.
The board heard that eight dancers at Seventh Heaven, which describes itself as Scotland's premier lap dancing club' had removed their underwear.
Both lap dancing venues had explained that the staff involved in the incidents were previously Edinburgh based, where full nudity is permitted and had been reprimanded.
The board said it expected both clubs to appeal the licence decision.
Simon Warr, managing director of Spearmint Rhino, said: "We feel the decision was wholly disproportionate.
"At the same time, I respect the board's decision as they were faced with reports of a series of minor misdemenours."
No one from the Seventh Heaven was available for comment.
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