Table dancing club battles 36-inch ban

A council has been taken to court for insisting that a table dancing club keep a 3ft gap between its gyrating dancers and their appreciative customers.

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets was accused of having a "nonsensical" and "unenforceable" approach at Southwark Crown Court.

Kevin de Haan QC said the ruling raised visions of someone having to stand by with a tape measure to ensure the sanctity of the no-go zone.

It would even mean a punter leaning forward for a better look would amount to a violation.

After taking the precaution of first explaining to the court what table dancing was, he said his clients new venture - called Secrets and waiting to open in East Smithfield - should be allowed to operate along the same lines enjoyed by the vast majority of similar venues "in the Metropolis".

"There are 32 London boroughs and 14 now have table dancing establishments in their areas. That amounts to 28 such places in all," he said.

"In 20 of the 28 full nudity is permissible and exactly the same number do not have the 3ft rule.

"To require a 3ft rule, or ban on nudity, is out of the mainstream and outside the predominant practice in the boroughs."

Mr de Haan said the distance requirement was based on the minimum space that should exist between the "respective torsos" of entertainer and entertained.

"It is unenforceable. This is a moving performance. The customer is not strapped in a chair. If he leans forward the dancer can immediately be in breach of the rule.

"If the dancer puts a hand into the 3ft zone she is immediately in breach.

"The idea suggests one has to have someone standing there with a tape measure to determine whether someone has moved within the zone."