The Stage

Theatres Trust will not be given more clout in protecting heritage

Published Thursday 4 December 2008 at 12:50 by Lalayn Baluch

Legislation which would give the Theatres Trust greater involvement in the protection of historic buildings has been axed by the government.

The Heritage Protection Bill was one of five laws originally included in May’s draft version of the Queen’s speech, but dropped in her slimmed-down presentation yesterday, which instead prioritised bills that will have a greater impact on tackling the credit crunch.

Meanwhile, it was announced that laws to re-license lap-dancing clubs - currently classed alongside cafes and pubs - in the same way as sex shops will be pushed forward next year.

In her speech, the Queen confirmed the government’s commitment to the new Policing and Crime Bill, which will see the venues re-labelled as “sex encounter establishments” - a move designed to give councils and local residents more say in where lap-dancing clubs open.

The news will come as a blow to the Lap Dancing Association, which last month delivered a 3,000-strong petition to Downing Street in protest of the proposals. It believes that performers will be stigmatised if the law is put in place.